Andrew Novak saw his six-shot lead cut in half until he ran off three straight birdies on the back nine that sent him to a two-under 69 and a five-shot victory in the Mexico Open, his first individual title on the PGA Tour.
Novak gave himself a big lead with rounds of 61 and 62 the previous two days, and it was going to take something special to track him down on Sunday (local time). But with a soft bogey on the 10th hole, his lead was down to three over Steven Fisk and Mexico-born Norwegian Kristoffer Ventura.
And then it was effectively over. Novak hit a greenside bunker shot to four feet on the par-5 12th at Vidanta Vallarta, drove the 13th green to 15 feet for a two-putt birdie, and ended his decisive run with a 45-foot birdie putt on the 14th.
“That kind of really settled everything,” Novak said. “Just happy with how I played today. I thought I grinded it out pretty well.”
Fisk and Ventura each closed with a 63, and it was particularly meaningful for Ventura. He was at No.108 in the FedEx Cup Fall, knowing only the top 100 keep full cards for 2027. The runner-up finish, his best as an individual, moved him to No. 76 and locked up his card.
Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes shot 66 and wound up in a tie for fourth when American Doug Ghim, playing in the final group, made double bogey on the 18th hole. Hughes moved up to No.101, a manageable spot with three tournaments remaining.
Hughes tied for fourth with Ben Griffin, who was Novak’s partner when they won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans last year. Griffin (67) was waiting on the 18th green when Novak finished.
“I loved Zurich and everything about that tournament. That’s so fun,” Novak said. “But it is nice to have one by myself, too.”
Novak moved from No.89 to No.53 in the FedEx Cup, making him practically a lock to at least be in a pair of $US20 million signature events next year at Pebble Beach and Riviera.
Karl Vilips, who held the first-round lead, was the highest-placed Australian, finishing tied for 23rd at 13 under after rounds of 62, 74, 68 and 67.
Compatriot Cameron Davis fired a brilliant final-round eight-under 63, that featured nine birdies and a single bogey. Davis (71, 67, 73, 63) finished tied for 40th at 10 under the card.
