Novak Wins Mexico Open, Ends Eight-Month Struggle with Putting

Andrew Novak captured his first individual PGA Tour title at the 2026 VidantaWorld Mexico Open, finishing at 25-under 259, five strokes ahead of the field.

The win marked a significant turnaround for Novak, who had struggled with putting for much of the year, ranking 158th in Strokes Gained: Putting.

Novak maintained a strong performance throughout the tournament, with a final round of 62 sealing his victory.

Novak revealed that he had spent the season hiding his putting struggles, admitting he had no experience with such a large lead in a tournament.

He described his approach as focusing on the shot in front of him and maintaining pressure, emphasizing the need to avoid showing any weakness.

After a bogey on the 10th hole, Novak recovered with three consecutive birdies starting at the 12th, ultimately securing his lead.

The win brought Novak from 89th to 53rd in the FedExCup standings, earning him spots in the tour’s top events next season.

While Novak acknowledged the significance of the win for his career, he did not express confidence, instead focusing on the opportunities it would create.