Novak's Blistering 61 Builds Three-Shot Lead at Mexico Open

Andrew Novak produced the round of the tournament so far on Friday to seize a three-shot lead at the halfway stage of the VidantaWorld Mexico Open in Vallarta. Novak went five under par over his final six holes, carding a 10-under 61 to move to 14-under 128 and match his low score on the PGA Tour. He drove the reachable par-4 13th, which played at just 296 yards, and holed a 12-foot eagle putt, before adding birdies at the 15th, 16th and 18th to pull clear of the chasing pack. Five players share second place at 11 under: amateur Kihei Akina, who shot 64, Ben Griffin, Frenchman Matthieu Pavon, Belgium's Adrien Dumont de Chassart and Japan's Kensei Hirata. First-round leader Karl Vilips of Australia followed his red-hot 62 with a three-over 74 to slide back to six under, tied for 34th. The cut fell at four under, with Tony Finau missing by a single shot and U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark also heading home early. Novak, who entered the week 89th in the FedEx Cup Fall standings, would vault to a projected 53rd with a victory.