Staff WriterThe Zurich Classic keeps serving up jazz-club drama, and Sunday’s finale was hotter than a skillet of crawfish étouffée.
Andrew Novak—who’d been rapping on victory’s door for three straight weeks—finally barged through it, arm-in-arm with fellow first-timer Ben Griffin, to post 28-under and snag the 2025 Zurich Classic of New Orleans by a single, pulse-ratcheting stroke.
From “Knock, knock” to knockout
Novak kept knocking and knocking. On Sunday, he and Griffin stepped into the winner’s circle after Griffin’s laser-guided birdie on the penultimate hole clipped the Højgaard twins’ wings for good.
The Danish duo of Nicolai and Rasmus had matched them shot for shot until that blade-kissed dagger left them one shy at 27-under.
A three-week crescendo worthy of Bourbon Street
- RBC Heritage (Apr 20): Novak lipped out an eight-footer on the 72nd hole, then watched Justin Thomas pour in a 21-footer in the playoff.
- Last week’s miss: second place.
- This week’s boom: first place, signature champagne.
That 3-2-1 finish rockets Novak to No. 6 in the FedExCup standings, earning him golden tickets to every remaining Signature event.
Gear that sang sweeter than a Preservation Hall trumpet
Andrew Novak’s Srixon-Cleveland cocktail stayed the course
Irons (4-i to 6-i): Srixon ZX7 Mk II
Irons (7-i to PW): Srixon Z-Forged II
Wedges: Cleveland Golf RTZ (50° MID, 54°, 60°)
Ball: Z-STAR DIAMOND
Three top-10s earlier in the year hinted at the explosion we just witnessed.
Why this matters (and not just for the Srixon marketing department)
| Milestone | Ripple effect |
|---|---|
| First PGA TOUR win (both players) | Two-year exemption, bigger purses, and a serious swagger upgrade |
| Team victory format | Proof that chemistry still matters in an increasingly individual sport |
| FedExCup vault to No. 6 | Prime tee times, playoffs in clear sight |
Parting riff
If golf were literature, Andrew Novak just turned the page from “promising protagonist” to “plot-twisting hero.”
Add the cool-headed Griffin, and the Zurich Classic becomes another bayou yarn we’ll still be spinning when the brass bands strike up next April.
Now, about that homing-pigeon golf ball—might be time to give it a whirl before the rest of the Tour does.
