Lanto Griffin Bio
Lanto Maitreya Griffin, born on June 15, 1988, is an American professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 190 pounds, he is recognized for a patient, steady style that carried him from smaller developmental circuits to a premier victory in Texas. He has recorded five professional wins across multiple tours, with one coming at the PGA Tour level.
Based in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Griffin has built his career on consistency, quietly moving between the PGA Tour Latinoamérica, the Korn Ferry Tour, and the top-flight PGA Tour. He reached a career-best Official World Golf Ranking of 49 in March 2021 and continues to compete among the game’s top players.
Early Life and Background
Lanto Maitreya Griffin was born in Mount Shasta, California, and grew up in a household that valued the outdoors. At a young age, he relocated with his family to Blacksburg, Virginia, a college town nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. The move introduced him to a region with strong youth golf programs and a climate that allowed for year-round play on local courses.
That early relocation shaped Griffin’s competitive foundation. He developed his game on Virginia courses, learning the patience and shot-making demanded by mountain layouts, and eventually took his talent to Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. There, he became a standout on the college golf team, peaking in 2009 when he was named the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year. That same season cemented his reputation as a disciplined ball-striker ready for the next step.
Path to Professional Golf
Griffin turned professional in 2010, beginning a multi-year climb through the sport’s development pathways. He spent his early years grinding on mini-tour events and satellite circuits, sharpening a game built on accuracy and course management rather than raw power. The patience paid off when he earned a spot on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica in 2015.
During his time in Latin America, Griffin captured the Roberto De Vicenzo Punta del Este Open Copa NEC in 2015, providing his first notable professional title. That same year, he added the Virginia Open to his resume, reinforcing his belief that steady work on development tours could eventually open doors to higher competition.
Lanto Griffin Career
Early Career (2010–2014)
After turning professional in 2010, Griffin spent several seasons competing on smaller circuits while refining his craft. He played a range of events across the United States and abroad, learning to handle the travel demands and pressure of weekly competition. These years were foundational, even if they did not yet feature high-profile trophies.
By 2014, Griffin had built the kind of experience and confidence necessary to attack bigger stages. His breakthrough moment came the following year when he broke through on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica.
Korn Ferry Tour Breakthrough (2015–2019)
Griffin’s transition to recognized development tours began in 2015 on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica, where he won the Roberto De Vicenzo Punta del Este Open Copa NEC. He also captured the Virginia Open that year, signaling his readiness to climb further. After narrowly missing full status at the 2016 Web.com Tour qualifying tournament by a single stroke, he entered 2017 as a reserve, ready to capitalize when opportunities arrived.
That opportunity came in June 2017 at the Nashville Golf Open, where Griffin became the first player on tour in 13 years to win after making the cut on the number. He finished 23rd on the regular-season Web.com Tour money list, earning his first PGA Tour card for the 2017–18 season. After a difficult 2017–18 PGA Tour campaign, he returned to the Korn Ferry Tour in 2019. He won the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Championship and finished sixth on the regular-season money list, securing his PGA Tour card for the second time.
PGA Tour Success (2019–Present)
Griffin’s second PGA Tour stint began with impressive form. He opened the 2019–20 season with five top-20 finishes, including strong showings at A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier, the Sanderson Farms Championship, the Safeway Open, the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, and the Bermuda Championship. That run of consistency foreshadowed his biggest moment.
On October 13, 2019, Griffin earned his first PGA Tour victory at the Houston Open, a signature moment that announced his arrival among the game’s top players. He has since competed in all four major championships, with his best finish being a tie for 19th at the 2020 PGA Championship. He has also played in The Masters, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship, where he made the cut in select years.
Driving Style and Strengths
Griffin is known for a calm, methodical style of play. His accuracy off the tee and steady iron play allow him to attack pins without unnecessary risk. He excels on classical, positional golf courses that reward strategic thinking over sheer distance.
Notable Events and Milestones
His 2019 Houston Open victory remains the defining moment of his PGA Tour career. Becoming the first player in 13 years to win a Korn Ferry Tour event after making the cut on the number at the 2017 Nashville Golf Open is another milestone that highlights his resilience.
Lanto Griffin Career Wins
Across all professional tours, Lanto Maitreya Griffin has accumulated five victories. These include one PGA Tour title, two Korn Ferry Tour wins, one PGA Tour Latinoamérica title, and one additional recognized professional victory.
PGA Tour Highlights
Griffin’s lone PGA Tour win came at the 2019 Houston Open, where he held off the field to claim his maiden top-flight title. That victory secured his PGA Tour card and cemented his place among the tour’s winners.
Korn Ferry Tour Highlights
His first Korn Ferry Tour win came at the 2017 Nashville Golf Open, a remarkable triumph that made tournament history. He added a second Korn Ferry Tour title at the 2019 Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Championship, finishing sixth overall for the regular season.
Other Wins & Performances
Griffin also won the 2015 Roberto De Vicenzo Punta del Este Open Copa NEC on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica and captured the 2015 Virginia Open. Each victory contributed to his steady ascent up the professional ranks.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGA Tour | 1 | 5 (2019–20 season top 20s) | N/A |
| Korn Ferry Tour | 2 | 6th regular season (2019) | N/A |
| PGA Tour Latinoamérica | 1 | N/A | N/A |
Lanto Griffin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Griffin was raised in a family that supported his athletic development from an early age. The family’s move from Mount Shasta, California, to Blacksburg, Virginia, played a formative role in shaping his path toward golf.
Personal Life
Griffin resides in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, a community popular among PGA Tour professionals. He keeps much of his personal life private, focusing public attention on his career and continued competition at the sport’s highest level.
2025 Season Performance
Entering 2025, Lanto Maitreya Griffin continues his career on the PGA Tour, drawing on the experience of his 2019 Houston Open victory and subsequent major-championship appearances. He remains a respected veteran on tour, known for consistency and strategic course management. His goal each season is to maintain full status and contend in select events.
Griffin’s path in 2025 reflects the same patience that has defined his career. With his prior major-championship experience including a T19 at the 2020 PGA Championship and made cuts at the 2021 U.S. Open and The Open Championship, he brings a steady presence to every field he enters. The season outlook centers on steady play, smart scheduling, and the pursuit of another signature win.
