How Did Ben Griffin Get His Nickname ‘Benny Booms’? Story Explored

All week at Bethpage Black, shouts of “Benny Booms” have echoed through the crowd like a catchy chorus no one can stop singing. The nickname has stuck. It’s loud, it’s fun, and somehow, it fits. But where did it come from? Ben Griffin himself still seems a bit amused by the whole thing.

So, this name came from a casual moment with golf content creator Erick Lottary during last month’s FedEx St. Jude Championship.

“I think people commented on it, and people needed a nickname for me because I’m a new face,” Griffin said with a smile. “And I guess that one landed for now.”

What started as a playful label in a social media video has since taken on a life of its own. ‘Benny Booms’ has become Griffin’s official nickname, chanted by fans and even adopted by the official Ryder Cup USA social channels.

“I’ve also heard a lot of ‘Bethpage Bennies’ over the last four months. I might like that one a little bit more. But hey, people can say what they want,” Griffin added, indicating that this isn’t the first time he’s had a nickname.

Not bad for a guy who, just a few months ago, wasn’t even on the radar for the team.

Just four summers ago, Ben Griffin was a loan officer. Burnt out after years of competing on mini-tours that earned him no success, Griffin took in the footsteps of his mother, Erika, who is a senior mortgage banker. But a competitive fire reignited in 2021, and ever since then, Griffin has banked more than $17 million in 105 Tour starts. And now he’s teeing it up for Team USA at the Ryder Cup, one of golf’s biggest stages.

Griffin began 2025 ranked outside the top 65 in the world, with no PGA TOUR wins to his name. But golf is a funny game. After grinding through a marathon 13-week stretch chasing a spot at The Masters (he just missed), he came roaring back with wins at the Zurich Classic and the Charles Schwab Challenge. That win, along with 9 top-10 finishes this season, was his golden ticket to Bethpage Black this week.

“It’s going to be insane. I’m really excited to go through that tunnel and hear the crowd and hopefully fire off a good one,” Griffin said, looking ahead to his Ryder Cup debut.

And when he does, don’t be surprised if the first thing he hears is a loud chorus from the grandstands screaming his nickname — Benny Booms! But while the cheers and chants are already rolling in, Griffin won’t be taking the first tee on Friday morning. Instead, he’s sitting out the opening session, waiting for his moment to make an impact.

Ben Griffin won’t be playing the opening session on Friday at Bethpage

Despite all the buzz around his Ryder Cup debut and the rising “Benny Booms” chants at Bethpage, Ben Griffin won’t feature in Friday morning’s opening session. Bradley opted to bench four players for the opening foursomes, including Griffin, alongside J.J. Spaun, Cameron Young, and Sam Burns. It’s surely tough to wait for a first-timer.

With just eight spots available in each session, decisions come down to a mix of analytics, player chemistry, and pure instinct. Bradley said he wanted to send out a “fiery group” to set the tone early, tapping into personalities like Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas to energize the crowd. For a rookie like Griffin, that means staying patient and ready.

He won’t have to wait long, though. The afternoon four-ball pairings kick off shortly around mid-noon, and there’s every chance ‘Benny Booms’ will get the call.