GRIFFIN HOLDS ON TO WIN HOUSTON

SIX years ago, Lanto Griffin had less than $200 in his bank account, so he decided to caddie for his friend and fellow pro golfer Willy Wilcox.

The move paid off as the pair became a successful team and Griffin was able to replenish his savings and continue his dream of playing full-time on the PGA Tour. Fast-forward to yesterday as the 31-year-old Griffin claimed his maiden PGA title, two-putting 18 to close with a three-under 69 and win the Houston Open by one stroke.

“I just knew that even if I made bogey I would still have a job out here next year,” said Griffin, pictured.

“I am so proud of the way I hung in there.”

Griffin came into the fourth round with a one-shot lead and made five birdies to finish with a 14-under 274.

He told his mother, Julie, that he would buy her a new car if he won this week — and after earning $1.3 million in first-place prizemoney, he will make good on that promise.

“There’s too many people (to thank). My entire team,” said Griffin, who lost his father when he was 12 to brain cancer and likes to say it took an entire village to raise him.

“I learned you don’t have to win. If you put all that pressure on yourself it can backfire. Thinking like that helps me take the pressure off.” Griffin finished one stroke ahead of Scott Harrington and Mark Hubbard, who shot 67 and 69.

China’s Zhang Xinjun and Austria’s Sepp Straka were part of a group of five who tied for fourth. Zhang shot 66, Straka a 69 to finish at 11under along with Harris English (66), Talor Gooch (69) and Carlos Ortiz (69).

Griffin is the only player to finish in the top 20 in every PGA Tour tournament since the new season started last month and now leads the FedEx Cup standings.