Novak Ties Mexico Open 18-Hole Record with Stunning 61 to Take Three-Shot Lead
Andrew Novak shot a bogey-free 10-under 61 in the second round of the VidantaWorld Mexico Open, matching the tournament’s 18-hole record and posting his lowest score on the PGA Tour. The performance, highlighted by an eagle at the 13th and three birdies on the back four, gave him a three-shot lead over Ben Griffin and four others. Novak credited a recent change in putter for a resurgence in his putting game, which now leads the field in strokes gained.
Andrew Novak shot a bogey-free 10-under 61 in the second round of the VidantaWorld Mexico Open at Vidanta Vallarta on October 31, 2026, matching the tournament’s 18-hole record previously set by Jon Rahm in 2023 and equaled by Aldrich Potgieter in 2025. This performance marked Novak’s lowest score on the PGA Tour to date and gave him a three-shot lead at 14-under 128 over Ben Griffin, Kihei Akina, Matthieu Pavon, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, and Kensei Hirata, who all sit tied for second at 11-under. Key moments included an eagle on the drivable par-4 13th after driving the green and three birdies on the final four holes, including a crucial 15-foot birdie putt that shifted momentum after Griffin’s bogey from the water. Novak credited a recent switch to a new putter at the Wyndham Championship for a dramatic improvement in his putting, now leading the field in strokes gained putting with a figure of 7.804—his first such leadership since early 2025 when he reached the Tour Championship.
The turnaround follows a period of struggle, with Novak admitting he had been one of the worst putters on Tour for nearly eight months, turning pars into bogeys and often squandering strong rounds. His recent resurgence has revived his FedExCup Fall standing, where he sits 89th and could rise to 53rd with a win—potentially securing entry into elite events like the 2027 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and Genesis Invitational. Meanwhile, Kihei Akina, a 20-year-old BYU sophomore on a sponsor exemption,
Novak’s record-tying 61 could signal a broader trend of player resurgence through equipment innovation, particularly in putting, which may influence how players approach gear selection and coaching. His dramatic improvement after switching putters highlights the often underappreciated role of small technical changes in elite performance—potentially prompting more athletes to experiment with equipment mid-season, especially during fall events where FedExCup rankings are decisive. The success of amateur Kihei Akina, a college player on a sponsor exemption, may also encourage tournaments to prioritize developmental opportunities, possibly reshaping how exemptions are awarded and increasing visibility for collegiate golfers. Comparable to Jordan Spieth’s 2015 breakthrough after a swing change, Novak’s story could become a case study in mental and technical renewal under pressure. What to watch for next is whether other players begin emulating his putter choice or if the PGA Tour sees a spi