Razorback MGolf Signs Daly II and Griggs

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas head men’s golf coach Brad McMakin announced that John Daly II (Clearwater, Fla.) and Matthew Griggs (Carrollton, Texas) have signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Razorback golf program for the 2021-22 season.

Daly, son of two-time PGA major champion and former Razorback John Daly, is one of the top 40 juniors in the nation and was named Rolex Junior All-American. Griggs has qualified for three USGA Amateur Championship events and has over 50 wins as a junior golfer.

Brad McMakin, Arkansas head coach
“Both John and Matthew are players that have tremendous talent. They also have the explosive speed needed to play in the SEC. I am very grateful to have both players join the Razorback golf family.

“John has tremendous talent, and his game has developed to become one of the top junior golfers over the last year. We are excited that he will not only continue his dad’s legacy here at Arkansas, but we look forward to him establishing one of his own. He’s got Razorback in his blood and the game to follow in his dad’s footsteps.

“Matthew has accomplished so much as a junior player, winning at all levels. His game will transition immediately to the college level and will make an immediate impact on our program.”

John Daly II
Clearwater, Fla. / Montverde Academy (Bishops Gate Golf Academy)

Named 2020 Rolex Junior All-American and is 38th on the Rolex American Junior Golf Association rankings … Additionally, the AJGA has him as the third-ranked junior in the state of Florida … May of 2020, finished runner-up in the Dye Junior Golf Invitational, played at Crooked Stick in Carmel, Ind. – the site of his father’s 1991 PGA Championship win … The event featured 33 of the top high school boys players in the country.

Highlights this season on the AJGA:

  • Tied for second (tied for the lead after regulation, lost in a playoff) at the AJGA Junior Championship benefiting Make-A-Wish Foundation (73-66=139/-5).
  • Fifth at the Justin Thomas Junior Championship (69-71=210/-3).
  • Fifth at the AJGA Junior at Innisbrook (75-73-70=218/+2).

IJGT Highlights:

  • Playing just four of 19 events on the IJGT this season, is 13th in rankings.
  • Since the 2016-17 golf season, has won 10 times on the International Junior Golf Tour (IJGT).
  • September 2020, won IJGT Fall Kickoff event at Bishops Gate Golf Academy (66-70-68=204).
  • October 2020, placed sixth in the IJGT Columbus Day Open (74-67-81+222).
  • Won the 2019 IJGT Florida Junior at Falcon’s Fire while posting runner-up finishes at the 2019 Island Classic at Bear Creek and the 2020 Presidents Day Classic.

Son of John Daly – a Razorback golfer from 1984-87 and two-time major champion, including the 1991 PGA Championship and 1995 Open Championship … The two have played in three PNC Father/Son Challenges, finishing runner-up in 2018 and tying for ninth in 2016 and 2017.

Matthew Griggs
Carrollton, Texas / Yorktown Education

Qualified for the 2018 and 2020 USGA U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championships and qualified for the 2018 U.S. Amateur … In 2018, he was the second-youngest competitor at the Four-Ball Championship (15; 18 days older than the youngest) while he and his partner were the youngest sides (both 15) at the 2018 event and tying for youngest in four-year Championship history … In October 2019, shot 63 (with current Razorback freshman Damin Strydom) to qualify for the 2020 USGA U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship (which was canceled to due COVID-19) … Played in the 2018 U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach … Qualified for the U.S. Am by finishing second with a score of 150 over 36 holes at Maridoe Golf Club in Carrollton.

Has over 50 wins in junior golf, including wins in the AJGA, LJT, NTPGA, TJGT … Has six top 10’s, eight top 12’s and one win in the AJGA … Made the AJGA Junior All-Star team in 2018 … Part of the duo that won the 2020 Texas Golf Association North Four-Ball … Tied for seventh (71-70-72+213) at the 2020 KJ Choi Foundation Texas Junior Championship … Won the 2019 TaylorMade Junior Open presented by PGA Superstore by shooting 68-66=134 … Was runner-up at the Legends Texas Cup Invitational in 2018  and took third in the 2018 Bubba Conlee … At age 14, Griggs won the 15-18-year-old division in the TJGT Invitational at the Traditions Texas A&M course, then defended his title at the age of 15.

 

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