Andrew Novak and Lauren Coughlin Claim Victory at the Grant Thornton Invitational
NAPLES, Fla. — In an exciting conclusion to the Grant Thornton Invitational, Andrew Novak and Lauren Coughlin emerged victorious, securing a three-shot win with a 9-under 63 in modified fourballs. This marks Novak’s second team title this year, following his win at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with Ben Griffin.
The duo faced stiff competition from Chris Gotterup and Jennifer Kupcho, but Novak’s three consecutive birdies on the back nine proved to be the decisive factor. The turning point came at the par-5 17th hole at Tiburon Golf Club, where Gotterup and Kupcho struggled to make par after missing the green. Novak, on the other hand, sunk a 6-foot birdie putt to give his team a two-shot lead going into the final hole.
Coughlin’s birdie putt on the final hole helped the team set a tournament record at 28-under 188. They finished three strokes ahead of Gotterup and Kupcho (63), Denny McCarthy and Nelly Korda (63), and Michael Brennan and Charley Hull (65). Novak and Coughlin each earned $500,000, with Coughlin’s payout being the largest of her career, surpassing her two LPGA wins last year.
Novak’s Winning Strategy
Novak attributed their success to the number of birdie chances they had down the stretch. He said, “We had more holes than anyone else,” referring to the modified fourball format, where both players hit tee shots and then play the other’s golf ball for the remainder of the hole, with the low score counting. Novak’s clutch putts, including a 7-foot birdie putt on the 13th, a pair of 10-foot birdie putts on the 14th and 15th, and the decisive 6-foot birdie putt on the 17th, sealed their victory.
Novak jokingly referred to his win as the “modern day grand slam,” having already won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with Ben Griffin. He and Coughlin’s partnership proved to be a winning combination, with Coughlin’s birdie putt on the final hole helping to set a new tournament record.
What’s Next for the Winners
Nelly Korda, who finished second alongside Denny McCarthy, will have another chance to win this year when she teams up with her father in the PNC Championship next week. Meanwhile, Novak and Coughlin will bask in the glory of their Grant Thornton Invitational win, each taking home $500,000 and cementing their status as a formidable team in the golf world.
The Grant Thornton Invitational has once again provided an exciting platform for PGA Tour and LPGA Tour players to come together and compete in a unique and thrilling format. As the golf season comes to a close, fans can look forward to more electrifying performances from these talented athletes in the years to come.
