Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin fired four birdies and three bogeys to close with a 1-under 71, reach 28-under and win their first PGA Tour title at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
“I think for both Andrew and I, it felt like it was only a matter of time out here,” said Griffin. “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.
The Americans receives a two-year exemption on the Tour (through 2027) and entry into the three remaining Signature Events and the PGA Championship.
Novak was playing in his 100th start at the age of 30, one week after a playoff loss to Justin Thomas at the RBC Heritage and now has four top-three finishes in fourteen starts this season(3rd/Farmers Insurance Open, T3/Valero Texas Open).
He becomes the first player to lose in a playoff and win the following week since Patrick Cantlay at the 2022 RBC Heritage and Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
“I played well last week down the stretch, which was good to look back on. That was a positive,” said Novak. “There have been times down the stretch where I’ve had chances and haven’t played particularly well. So I took some positives into this week.
“You never really know when you’re going to get your first one, but we put ourselves in position again. Luckily I had Ben there for me today, and he carried down the stretch. So exciting to get our first win together.”
Griffin was playing in his 90th start at the age of 28. His previous-best finishes on Tour were second at the 2024 RBC Canadian Open and he lost a playoff for the 2023 Sanderson Farms Championship. He has had four top-10s in fourteen starts this season (T7/The American Express, T4/Mexico Open at VidantaWorld, T4/Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches).
In their second year as partners (MC/2024), Danish twins Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard made six birdies and three bogeys for a 68 and finished runner-up at 27-under.
Nicolai had two previous runner-up finishes on Tour (2024 Farmers Insurance Open/2nd, 2023 Corales Puntacana Championship/2nd).
Rasmus earns his third top-10 finish on Tour ( 2022 Genesis Scottish Open/T10, 2022 Corales Puntacana Championship/6th).
Americans Jake Knapp and Frankie Capan III, each making their tournament debut, finished solo-third at 26-under having made a single bogey for a 70.
American PGA Tour rookies Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo made four birdies and three bogeys for a 71 and finished T8 after holding the 18- and 36-hole lead.
Defending champions Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Ireland’s Shane Lowry made three birdies and three bogeys and finished T12 at 22-under in their bid to become the first team to successfully defend their title at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
Aon Swing 5 and Aon Next 10
The top 10 FedExCup points earners through The CJ Cup Byron Nelson will earn spots in the Truist Championship via the Aon Next 10.
The top five FedExCup points earners in the Corales Puntacana Championship, Zurich Classic of New Orleans and The CJ Cup Byron Nelson will earn spots in the Truist Championship via the Aon Swing 5.
