Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin took home their first PGA Tour titles on Sunday. They won the Zurich Classic in a three-hole aggregate playoff that began with eight teams. The pair shot a 1-under 71 in the alternate-shot format. The win couldn’t have come in more dramatic style, as with their total of 28-under 260, they won the whole tournament by a single stroke!
The final chapter played out on Pete Dye’s masterpiece, TPC Louisiana. Novak and Griffin started the final round with a three-shot lead on their nearest challengers. Jake Knapp and Frankie Capan III had them in their sights, increasing the pressure on them as the round went on. Once again, when it mattered most, Griffin and Novak pulled ahead, with authority.
Griffin was one of the key figures behind their success. He rolled in a monster birdie putt from almost 35 feet on the par-3 17th hole. This important maker helped them to stay just a few paces ahead of a tight pack as they neared the end of play at hole #8. A clutch par on the 18th sealed their victory, a defining moment in each player’s career.
It’s in that same vein the defending champions, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, never really found their footing all tournament long. They placed 12th overall, six shots back from the top finishers. Three bogeys late in the game cost them and their chances at moving on. This refusal to close on scoring chances meant in the end McIlroy and Lowry fell just short, waving goodbye to the top remaining spots on the leaderboard.
While Novak and Griffin toasted their triumph, Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard hogged the spotlight. They secured their second place finish with a 68 in the final round. At the same time, Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo both reached 24-under and tied for eighth, both playing the final round in 71.
On Thursday, Novak and Griffin established an industry-leading standard in the tournament. The two of them set a tournament best-ball record of 58, a testament to their incredible chemistry during the event. Their win together at the Zurich Classic highlights their great talent. It hints at the intense rivalry built into the PGA Tour’s exclusive new team format.
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