In a thrilling finale at the TPC Louisiana, Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin carved out their first victory on the PGA Tour at the Zurich Classic, clinching the title by a mere stroke after shooting a 1-under 71 in the final round of alternate-shot play.
Novak and Griffin concluded their tournament with a 28-under 260, a sigh of relief for Novak after narrowly missing out on a playoff triumph at the RBC Heritage the previous week. The pair's steadiness was tested during a weather delay of over 90 minutes as they navigated the eighth hole.
The defending champions, Masters winner Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, remained in the hunt until the last stretch. However, a string of bogeys saw their aspirations falter, and they landed in 12th place, trailing by six shots.
Danish duo Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard, twins determined for a breakthrough, ended their chase in second place, just a whisker behind after carding a 68 in their final effort.
Beginning the day with a three-stroke lead, Novak and Griffin were momentarily caught by Jake Knapp and Frankie Capan III. The turning point came on the par-3 17th when Griffin sunk a breathtaking 35-foot birdie putt, reclaiming a comfortable two-shot lead. This came just after Capan faltered, sending his ball into the water.
Despite Novak's tee shot coming dangerously close to the water's edge on 17, Griffin's clutch performance ensured that a simple par on 18 would seal their victory.
Amidst the drama, McIlroy and Lowry's bid waned as they faltered on the par-4 13th, each missing critical chips and putts. Yet, their fans remained loyal and enthusiastic until the very end, cheering loudly as Lowry concluded the round with a birdie. McIlroy, ever the showman, tossed the ball into the water to a chorus of delight.
The Hojgaard twins pushed their adversaries hard, nearly seizing the lead after a standout 42-foot birdie by Nicolai on the 14th. Though Rasmus' attempt to equalize on 16 fell short, resting heartbreakingly on the edge, the moment underscored their potential.
Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo, the newcomers who made headlines with a first-day better-ball score of 58, ended tied for eighth at 24-under, their promising start a mere chapter in a career that holds much promise.
