Lanto Griffin’s patience has been put to the utmost during the past 18 months. He had the impression that he was always getting kicked while he was on the ground. And he was unable to stand.
His lower back had a ruptured disc, to start. Then his ribs broke. Griffin’s putting stroke, which is often one of his strongest assets, failed him earlier this autumn when he was finally feeling completely well.
Griffin’s weary eyes (and body) were therefore treated to a sight during Thursday’s Shriners Children’s Open opening round. With an eagle and seven birdies, he shot 7-under 64. He is one shot behind leader J.T. Poston.
Griffin remarked, “It’s good to see the end of the tunnel having light”
His problems arose in May of 2020. Griffin first tore his L5-S1 disc at that time. It burst once more in January 2022, but much more severely.
He did a pretty good job of it, finishing in the top 50 of the FedExCup through May. But by July’s John Deere Classic, Griffin’s agony had prevented him from swinging a golf club at all. After surgery, he missed six months.
He went back last January to compete in the Farmers Insurance Open, but he now feels that was a hasty decision. He believed himself to be well at the moment. He wasn’t. Less than a month later, at The Genesis Invitational, he suffered a rib fracture and injured some muscles in his mid-back. That kept him out of play for another two months.
He now understands that because he endured misery for such a long time, he never really experienced what it was like to be pain-free. This summer, he at last felt that sensation.
In an attempt to regain his health, Griffin has embraced innovative therapeutic techniques like cryotherapy. “I feel like 10 years younger than I did a year ago,” he claimed.
Nevertheless, a cold putter hampered his comeback. Griffin’s feel with the flatstick was nonexistent, despite his usual steadiness on the greens. He used to be a consistent putter who finished in the top 40 in SG: Putting each of the previous two years, but this week he entered the field in 96th place, well below average. Before making a crucial adjustment ahead of last week’s Sanderson Farms Championship, he had missed the cut in seven of his previous eleven starts.
Renowned TOUR coach Scott Hamilton observed that Griffin was hunching over the ball due to poor posture. On the eve of Griffin’s first round, they made a quick adjustment that involved raising his chest slightly and moving him farther away from the ball.
Like flipping on a light switch. Griffin led the field in SG: Putting and finished T28 at Sanderson Farms. “I went from having no confidence to seeing a stroke on video and feeling like I could make everything,” Griffin told reporters.
That continued throughout this week’s TPC Summerlin first round. Griffin shot his lowest round since May 2022, gaining 3.5 strokes on the greens, which was second-best in the field. On holes two, three, and six, he made birdies from 27 feet, 8 feet, and 17 feet, respectively. As part of a front-nine 32, he chipped in for another birdie on the 7th hole. On No. 15, he blasted a 24-footer from just off the green for eagle, which was the highlight of his back nine.
“The anxiety you have when you’re performing poorly and your body isn’t feeling well is absurd. Everything seems to be working against you. Nothing is comfortable. Not the most enjoyable sport. However, when the putter is rolling and your body is feeling well, it’s the complete opposite. It feels incredible.” Griffin said.
Griffin’s winner’s exemption to the 2020 Houston Open is now in its final year. He isn’t as stressed out as some players are this autumn, though. Griffin will have roughly 12 starts remaining on his major medical that he can use the next season due to his injuries. For the time being, he is merely attempting to move up as high as possible in the FedExCup Fall rankings. He started the 188th week. He is predicted to go up to 126th place after the first round. It would be excellent if he could place among the top 125.
If not, he thinks he can get it the following year. Rounds like Thursdays are what give you that self-assurance.
“I have been putting in a lot of effort at work. And I was aware that it would eventually reappear,” he said.
