In a thrilling display of teamwork, Andrew Novak teamed up with Lauren Coughlin to clinch the Grant Thornton Invitational, finishing with an impressive 9-under 63 in the modified fourballs format. This victory marks Novak's second team title of the year, further solidifying his status in the world of golf.
As they navigated the challenging Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida, Novak and Coughlin faced stiff competition, particularly from Chris Gotterup and Jennifer Kupcho. However, the turning point came on the par-5 17th hole, where Gotterup and Kupcho found themselves in difficult positions after missing the green, forcing them to scramble for par. Meanwhile, Novak seized the moment, sinking a crucial 6-foot birdie putt that propelled his team to a two-shot lead as they headed into the final hole.
Their exceptional performance allowed them to set a tournament record with a total score of 28-under 188, ultimately finishing three strokes ahead of their closest rivals, Gotterup and Kupcho, who also finished strong with a score of 63. Denny McCarthy and Nelly Korda, along with Michael Brennan and Charley Hull, followed closely behind, each recording scores of 63 and 65 respectively.
Earlier this year, Novak celebrated another victory at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside teammate Ben Griffin, the only event on the PGA Tour that features a team format. He humorously noted that winning in the mixed-team category—where PGA Tour and LPGA Tour players compete together—would be akin to achieving a "modern-day grand slam."
Reflecting on the competition, Novak shared that he only became aware of their standing after glancing at the leaderboard on the 13th green. Despite the pressure, he felt confident due to one key advantage: "We had more holes than anyone else," he remarked, referring to their opportunities for birdies in the closing stretch. His remarkable run included a 7-foot birdie putt on the 13th, followed by two successive 10-foot birdies on the 14th and 15th, culminating in what effectively sealed their victory on the 17th.
In the modified fourballs format, both players take turns hitting tee shots and then play the other's ball for the remainder of the hole, with the lower score being recorded.
For their efforts, Novak and Coughlin each took home a substantial prize of $500,000, marking Coughlin's largest earnings to date, having previously secured two titles on the LPGA Tour last year.
In a dramatic finish, Korda's chance to narrow the gap slipped away as she missed a critical 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole that could have provided her and McCarthy with a glimmer of hope, potentially putting them in second place. However, Korda will have another opportunity to secure a win next week as she partners with her father in the PNC Championship.
