Andrew Novak Mega Leads by 6 Strokes After Three Rounds in Mexico

Dominant Performance by Andrew Novak

At the VidantaWorld Mexico Open in Vallarta, Andrew Novak showcased an impressive performance by scoring a remarkable 9-under-par 62 on Saturday, extending his lead to six strokes after three rounds.

Record-Breaking Back-to-Back Rounds

Following a course-record-tying 10-under 61 on Friday, Novak’s impressive score brought his total to 23-under 190 after 54 holes.

Challengers Close Behind

France’s Matthieu Pavon remained competitive with his second 65 of the week, placing him at 17 under in solo second. Doug Ghim also performed well, shooting a 64 to secure third place at 16 under. Meanwhile, Pierceson Coody (64), Max Greyserman (66), and Ben Griffin (67) are tied for fourth at 15 under.

Aiming for His First Tour Victory

The 31-year-old Novak is on the verge of his first individual victory on the PGA Tour, having previously collaborated with Griffin to clinch the Zurich Classic title last season.

Remarkable Second Nine

Consistently impressive, Novak excelled again on the back nine, mirroring his previous day with a 5-under score. He notably redeemed himself from a bogey on the par-5 12th hole by achieving an eagle on Saturday, driving 333 yards and sinking a 20-foot putt to advance to 21 under.

Putting Excellence

Through three rounds, Novak has dominated in putting statistics, leading the tournament with a total of 128 feet, 5 inches of putts made.

Novak Reflects on Consistency

“You want to back up a really low round with something low, but you don’t usually expect that,” Novak noted. “I still kind of came out firing today, was throwing some darts, making putts and trying to stay out of my own way.”

Pavon’s Steady Climb

Pavon’s day started on a challenging note with a bogey on the first hole, trailing Novak by five strokes. However, after a slow start, he made an aggressive comeback by driving the green on the 287-yard par-4 13th hole and converting an eagle from 46 feet. He managed to finish with two consecutive birdies, keeping him close to the leader.

Pavon Displays Confidence

“It was just like good shots, really focusing on every shot, trying to be at the right place on the greens and on the fairway,” Pavon expressed, highlighting his positivity going into the next round.

Ghim’s Aspirations

Doug Ghim is positioned well to conclude the season within the Top 60, ensuring access to the first two prestigious events of 2027. “It felt like I kind of put myself into locking up my card for next year and then kind of on the bubble again for the top 60,” he stated.

Novak’s Challenge Ahead

Despite his lead, Novak remains aware of the need for a strong finish to secure his first individual title. “That would be very big,” he remarked, reflecting on the significance of this opportunity for his career.

–Field Level Media