Andrew Novak, Ben Griffin win Zurich Classic for first PGA Tour victories
Ben Griffin celebrates after making a birdie putt on the 17th hole during the final round of the Zurich Classic on Sunday.
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One week ago, Andrew Novak let his first career PGA Tour victory slip through his fingers.
He only had to wait seven days to capitalize on his next chance.
Novak and Ben Griffin teamed up to win the Zurich Classic at TPC Louisiana on Sunday, closing with a final-round 71 to finish 28 under overall and claim their first career PGA Tour victories.
For Novak, it was his first win in his 100th career start; it was Griffin’s first win in his 90th start. Novak also became the first player to lose in a playoff and win the following week since Patrick Cantlay in 2022, who also happened to lose the RBC Heritage and bounce back to win the Zurich Classic.
“I think for both Andrew and I, it felt like it was only a matter of time out here,” Griffin said. “We both put ourselves in the mix a bunch, especially this season, but even going back to last season. Yeah, just a lot of hard work between both of us, and for me personally, it means the world to finally get it paid off or to finally get it done. I couldn’t think of a better guy to get it done with, right here with Andrew.”
Novak and Griffin, who are now in the three remaining Signature Events this season, started the day 27 under and with a three-shot lead over two teams.
They shot 61 in four-balls on Saturday, but Sunday’s foursomes format (alternate shot) can be much more volatile. The front nine was a mixed bag with three birdies and three bogeys, but they steadied on the back nine, making seven straight pars before they added a birdie on 17 after Griffin drained a putt from 35 feet.
They stepped to the par-5 18th with a two-shot lead over twins Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard and playing partners Jake Knapp and Frankie Capan III. The Højgaards made birdie to put pressure on the leaders, but Griffin found the fairway, Novak laid up and Griffin chipped to 16 feet. It was an easy two-putt par win from there.
“No lead is safe on Tour,” Griffin said. “You’ve got to stay aggressive down the stretch. That was huge for us [on 17]. Eighteen, it’s still not the easiest finishing hole when you’re trying to lock up a Tour win. So really proud of the way we both executed shots on 18.”
The Højgaards finished in solo second. Knapp and Capan were third.
Defending champs Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry started the day five off the lead but shot even par and tied for 12th.
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