VALLARTA, Mexico — Andrew Novak saw his six-shot lead cut in half until he ran off three straight birdies on the back nine Sunday (Monday in Manila) that sent him to a 2-under 69 and a five-shot victory in the Mexico Open, his first individual title on the PGA Tour.
Novak staked himself to a big lead with rounds of 61-62 the previous two days. But with a soft bogey on the 10th hole, his lead was down to three over Steven Fisk and Mexico-born Norwegian Kristoffer Ventura.
And then it was effectively over. Novak hit a greenside bunker shot to 4 feet on the par-5 12th at Vidanta Vallarta, drove the 13th green to 15 feet for a two-putt birdie, and he ended his decisive run with a 45-foot birdie putt on the 14th.
Fisk and Ventura each closed with a 63, and it was particularly meaningful for Ventura. He was at No. 108 in the FedEx Cup Fall, knowing only the top 100 keep full cards for 2027. The runner-up finish, his best as an individual, moved him to No. 76 and locked up his card.
Meanwhile, Darren Fichardt of South Africa made a 10-foot eagle putt on the par-5 18th hole for an 8-under 64 and a one-shot victory over Zach Johnson in the Simmons Bank Championship, his first PGA Tour Champions title to advance to the season finale.
In Malaysia, Miyu Yamashita held off all challengers with a 4-under 68 for a two-shot victory and a successful title defense of the Maybank Championship.
Yamashita made five birdies Sunday in winning for the fifth time in her career on the LPGA Tour, and her second victory this season.
