Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak’s Zurich Classic WITB
All Square 4min read •
28 Apr 2025
The 2025 Zurich Classic of New Orleans delivered a thrilling finish as Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak, two North Carolina natives, clinched their maiden PGA Tour victories in the PGA Tour’s only team event. Held at TPC Louisiana, the duo’s 28-under-par performance, capped by a clutch 35-foot birdie putt from Griffin on the par-3 17th, edged out Danish twins Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard by a single stroke. Their final-round 1-under 71 in the demanding alternate-shot format showcased resilience, especially after a weather delay and a late challenge from Jake Knapp and Frankie Capan III. This victory, celebrated with a $1,329,400 payday each and 400 FedExCup points, marked a career-defining moment for both players, who have long been grinding toward this milestone.
Griffin wielded a mixed bag, notably featuring Mizuno Pro S-3 irons and a Maxfli Tour X golf ball — the first PGA Tour win for the brand since 2003. Novak, meanwhile, leaned on a combo set of Srixon ZX7 Mk II and Z-Forged irons paired with Cleveland RTZ wedges, delivering precision in critical moments. Their equipment choices, tailored to their games, played a pivotal role in navigating the unique fourball and foursomes formats of the Zurich Classic. Both players, who have known each other since their junior golf days and trained together in Sea Island, South Carolina, brought complementary strengths to the course, with Griffin’s steady ball-striking and Novak’s clutch short game shining through.
For Griffin, this win comes after a remarkable journey, including a brief hiatus from golf in 2021 to work as a mortgage loan officer before returning to earn his PGA Tour card via the Korn Ferry Tour. Novak, a Wofford College standout and 2022 Hall of Fame inductee, has been a breakout story in 2025, with four top-three finishes, including a playoff loss to Justin Thomas at the RBC Heritage just a week prior. Their Zurich triumph not only secures their PGA Tour cards for two more years but also catapults Novak to sixth in the FedExCup rankings, signalling bright futures for both. As we dive into the specifics of their winning setups, let’s unpack how their clubs fueled this historic moment at the Zurich Classic.
