Andrew Novak Wins Mexico Open After Final Three Birdies

Andrew Novak secured his first individual PGA Tour victory at the Mexico Open on Sunday at Vidanta Vallarta. His final round of 69 produced a five-shot margin over the runners-up, capping a week where he led the tournament for the final two days.

Novak arrived at the final hole with a three-stroke advantage over Steven Fisk and Kristoffer Ventura. He had built a six-stroke cushion with rounds of 61 and 62 earlier in the week. A bogey on the 10th hole narrowed that gap, but Novak responded immediately on the back nine with three consecutive birdies.

The turnaround began on the par-5 12th hole, where Novak executed a greenside bunker shot that landed four feet from the cup. He followed that with a drive to 15 feet on the 13th, converting a two-putt birdie. The sequence concluded on the 14th with a 45-foot birdie putt that sealed the victory.

"That kind of really settled everything," Novak said. "Just happy with how I played today. I thought I grinded it out pretty well."

Ventura, a Mexico-born Norwegian, posted a 63 to finish in a tie for second. The result moved him from No. 108 to No. 76 in the FedEx Cup Fall standings, ensuring he retains his tour card for 2027. Fisk also shot 63 to match Ventura.

Mackenzie Hughes of Canada finished in a tie for fourth after an 18th-hole double bogey by Doug Ghim. The result lifted Hughes to No. 101 in the FedEx Cup standings with three events remaining. Ben Griffin, who played with Novak in the 2025 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, tied for fourth with a 67.

Novak’s win moved him from No. 89 to No. 53 in the FedEx Cup rankings. That position practically guarantees his entry into the $20 million signature events at Pebble Beach and Riviera next year. It also ensures he will start the 2028 season in the upper Championship Series.

Kihei Akina, a 20-year-old sophomore from BYU, shot 59 on the final round to finish 15th. It marked his third top-20 finish on the PGA Tour this year.