Novak Wins Second PGA Tour Title at VidantaWorld Mexico Open

Andrew Novak secured his second PGA Tour title in impressive fashion, finishing five shots ahead of Steven Fisk and Kristoffer Ventura at the VidantaWorld Mexico Open.

The American’s prior circuit victory occurred more than a year ago, shared with Ben Griffin at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Yet, after 54 holes, it seemed almost certain he would add another title at Vidanta Vallarta.

Entering the final round, Novak held complete control, leading 2024 Farmers Insurance Open champion Matthieu Pavon by six shots.

Doug Ghim, who played in the final group alongside Novak and Pavon on Sunday, began the day seven shots behind the leader.

Novak’s dominance stemmed largely from birdie- and eagle-filled rounds of 61 and 62 on Friday and Saturday, but he adopted a more cautious approach on Sunday, recognizing no need for risk.

The 31-year-old recorded pars on his first seven holes before securing his first birdie of the day on the eighth.

A strong start was crucial for Novak’s closest rivals. Ghim rose to the occasion, shooting four-under-par on the front nine to narrow Novak’s lead to four at the turn.

Doug Ghim initiated a rapid start in the final round.(Image credit: Getty Images)

Pavon’s start was less productive, managing only one birdie on the front nine, which failed to make significant inroads into Novak’s advantage as the group reached the 10th hole.

Later, Fisk tied with Ghim at 20-under-par due to a blistering start that included eight birdies in his initial 13 holes.

All three players in the final group dropped their first shots of the day with bogeys at the 10th, causing Novak to slip to 23-under, three shots clear of Fisk in solo second place.

Steven Fisk briefly seemed poised to challenge the leader.(Image credit: Getty Images)

At that stage, Ghim sat at 19-under alongside Ventura in T3, while Pavon fell to T6 at 17-under.

Ventura also closed to within three shots of Novak with his eighth birdie of the day at the 13th, where he was joined by Ghim after he birdied the 12th.

Novak likely sensed the benefit of additional breathing room, which arrived when he sank his birdie putt at the 12th to extend his lead to four with six holes remaining.

After Ghim closed the gap to three again at the 13th, Novak had a long eagle putt at the same hole that drifted left. He then converted the birdie putt to restore his four-shot lead.

The margin expanded to six at the 14th when Novak holed a beautifully weighted long birdie putt, while Ghim bogeyed the same hole, making the title all but assured at that stage.

After consecutive pars at the 15th and 16th, Novak recorded his second bogey of the day on the par-3 17th, dropping to 25-under-par.

This hardly mattered, as he maintained a five-shot lead over Fisk and Ventura, who had earlier completed rounds of 63, and Ghim as he approached the 18th. As expected, there were no further errors.

After Pavon, who finished T11, completed his round with a par, Ghim fell to T6 following a double-bogey.

This cleared the stage for Novak to tap in for his par and confirm a five-shot victory.

Following his win, Novak reflected on a satisfying week within what has been largely a season of struggle.

He said: “Obviously I loved the Zurich and everything about that tournament, that’s so fun, but it is nice to have one by myself, too.

“This is one I’ve been working for for a while. Obviously not a great season for how I wanted it to go, but this is a nice way to kind of finish.”