Sometimes, the most painful defeats on the PGA Tour can become catalysts for something greater. This was undoubtedly true for Andrew Novak. Just days ago, he stood watching Justin Thomas sink a 21-foot playoff putt at Harbour Town. That winning stroke crushed Novak’s dream of his first PGA Tour victory. Yet at the Zurich Classic post-game press conference after the 2nd round, a new narrative emerged.

Novak spoke candidly about his mindset heading into the team event. “I’ve kind of hit my stride now,” he revealed while discussing his recent form. His putting, once inconsistent, has become a strength. “When the putter seems to be good darned near every week, I’m kind of contending every week,” he added confidently.

His partner, Ben Griffin, reinforced this positive momentum with his determination. “I’m hungry anyway to try to win out here,” Griffin declared during the same press conference. These words appeared to resonate deeply with Novak. The pair’s mindsets complemented each other perfectly as they approached the Zurich Classic.

Their united confidence quickly translated to on-course performance at TPC Louisiana. The duo posted an impressive 62 in the Four-Ball format, including a blistering front-nine 29. They followed this strong start with a solid 66 in the more challenging Foursomes format. Their consistent play kept them in contention throughout the tournament.

Highlight moments included Novak sinking a 19-foot birdie putt on the par-3 3rd hole and a clinical 3-foot birdie putt on the par-5 7th. These clutch shots briefly propelled them into a co-lead before they settled into second place by day’s end. The crowd erupted after each putt, clearly energizing the duo as they continued their charge.

The results speak volumes. Novak and Griffin have climbed to an impressive second-place position at -16, just one stroke behind leaders Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo. Remarkably, Novak now has a chance to make PGA Tour history. According to official communication, he could become the first player since Patrick Cantlay to lose in a playoff one week and win the following week. Cantlay followed his playoff loss at the 2022 RBC Heritage with a victory at the 2022 Zurich Classic – the exact template Novak hopes to replicate.

Their remarkable play in the alternate shot format has been particularly notable – they shot an impressive -6 in the second round, maintaining their momentum in the more challenging format. What makes their performance even more impressive is how they have outpaced several higher-ranked teams, including the Højgaard twins (Nicolai and Rasmus), who currently sit in third place with a score of -15. The partnership seems to have particularly benefited Novak’s putting confidence. Ranked 23rd on tour in putts per hole (1.720), his stroke looks even more assured alongside Griffin.

This impressive team performance isn’t happening in a vacuum, though – both players have been building toward this moment all season with their play.

Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin’s stats showcase breakthrough seasons

Both players brought impressive individual form into this team event. Novak’s 2025 season has been nothing short of remarkable. His runner-up finish at the RBC Heritage catapulted him to 34th in the world rankings – a career-best position. His earnings already exceed $4.2 million, placing him 11th on the PGA Tour money list.

Griffin’s season has been equally noteworthy. He’s competed in more events than any other tour player, with 12 consecutive starts through late April. His ironman schedule has yielded three top-10 finishes, including two T4 results at the Mexico Open and Cognizant Classic.

What makes their partnership particularly effective is the complementary nature of their skills. Novak’s putting prowess pairs perfectly with Griffin’s approach play. Griffin ranks among the tour’s best in strokes gained on approach, gaining an impressive 5.848 strokes on the field (3rd best) at the Mexico Open.

Their current position at the Zurich Classic reinforces both players’ upward trajectories. For Novak, especially, this performance represents more than just another good result. It demonstrates his mental resilience just days after heartbreak at Harbour Town.

As Novak summarized in the press conference, “When I’ve played well, it’s been really good.” With Griffin’s hunger to win clearly influencing his mindset, Novak may soon find himself not just in contention but hoisting a trophy. Sitting just one stroke off the lead, that moment might come sooner than anyone expected.