Austin Eckroat vs Lanto Griffin Prediction: Griffin to stun Eckroat in this one

The American Express golf tournament is approaching its conclusion, and on the final day, Austin Eckroat is set to compete against Lanto Griffin in one of the two rounds at La Quinta Country Club PGA West.

Austin Eckroat, an American professional golfer presently competing on the PGA Tour, boasts a notable career. With a background as a four-time All-American and a team title winner in 2018, Eckroat transitioned to the professional circuit in 2021. Although initially securing limited status for the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour season through qualifying school, he encountered early challenges, missing the cut in his first two events. However, a turning point occurred at the AdventHealth Championship in May, where he tied for 23rd, setting off a remarkable streak of nine top-25 finishes in the final eleven regular-season events.

Eckroat's 34th-place finish on the regular-season points list granted him access to the Korn Ferry Tour Finals. His exceptional performance culminated in earning a coveted PGA Tour card by finishing second at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship. In May 2023, Eckroat demonstrated his prowess by securing a runner-up position at the AT&T Byron Nelson, trailing Jason Day by just one shot. A month later, during the final round of the 2023 U.S. Open, he notably tied the 9-hole record with an impressive score of 29.

Lanto Griffin, an American professional golfer, is a prominent figure on the PGA Tour. During his college years at Virginia Commonwealth University, he earned recognition as the 2009 Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year. Despite this collegiate success, Griffin decided to turn professional in 2010, subsequently competing on the PGA Tour Latinoamérica in 2015 and 2016.

His journey included notable victories, such as the Roberto De Vicenzo Punta del Este Open Copa NEC in 2015 and the Virginia Open in the same year. Griffin made history in June 2017 by winning the Nashville Golf Open, becoming the first player on tour in 13 years to secure a victory after making the cut on the number. His impressive performance during the 2016–17 Web.com Tour season, finishing 23rd on the money list, earned him a PGA Tour card for the 2017–18 season.

The 2019–20 PGA Tour season marked a significant period for Griffin, as he consistently finished in the top 20 at events like A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier, the Sanderson Farms Championship, the Safeway Open, the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, and the Bermuda Championship. On October 13, 2019, Griffin achieved a milestone in his career by securing his first PGA Tour victory at the Houston Open.

Analyzing the profiles of both golfers, considering their experience levels and capabilities, Lanto Griffin emerges as the standout player, even though he is considered the underdog. Despite Austin Eckroat's reputation as a formidable and resilient golfer, his track record of being below par raises doubts about his performance in this particular match. Therefore, my bet is on Lanto Griffin to secure the victory in this matchup.