Novak Runs Away With Mexico Open for First Individual PGA Tour Title

Andrew Novak claimed his first individual title on the PGA Tour on Sunday, winning the VidantaWorld Mexico Open by five shots at Vidanta Vallarta. Novak carried a six-shot lead into the final round after rounds of 61 and 62, but saw his advantage cut to three when a bogey at the 10th hole followed a sluggish front nine. He responded in style, running off three straight birdies on the back nine, including a 45-foot putt at the 14th, to shut the door and finish at 25 under par, a tournament scoring record. Steven Fisk and Kristoffer Ventura both closed with 63s to tie for second at 20 under, with Ventura's runner-up finish, his best as an individual, moving him from 108th to 76th in the FedExCup standings and locking up his tour card. Novak, who previously won only the two-man Zurich Classic alongside Ben Griffin last year, jumped from 89th to 53rd in the FedExCup Fall standings, practically securing his place in next year's big-money Signature Events. The 31-year-old admitted afterwards that his putter had gone cold early in the round before catching fire when it mattered most.