Monday, November 2, 2026 Balls & Bogeys Golf News Edition
Photo: Getty Images
Andrew Novak takes Mexico Open for 1st individual PGA Tour title
Per Associated Press / ESPN: “Andrew Novak saw his six-shot lead cut in half until he ran off three straight birdies on the back nine Sunday 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.”
B&B POV: Better than a journeyman but not yet a star, Andrew Novak won for the 2nd time on tour Sunday, but for the first time in an individual event. Last year, he and his buddy Ben Griffin, who, like Novak, was considered a good player but not a great one, won the Zurich team event. This time, it was Novak’s turn to become El Jefe, and he did. With his victory, he qualified for big-time events in 2027 and 2028 and will tee it up alongside Griffin, who is now considered one of the tour’s best.
Photo: Getty Images
‘I don’t think many people want to talk to him regardless’: Brooks Koepka rekindles beef with Bryson DeChambeau
Per Coleman Bentley / Golf Digest: “Wayyyyy back in 2025, in the wake of McIlroy winning his first green jacket, Bryson DeChambeau sat down in front of a room full of reporters and aired out a little dirty laundry. Asked about the duo’s interactions while playing together in the final pairing on Masters Sunday, DeChambeau said.”
B&B POV: I don’t like Bryson DeChambeau. And I think he is the modern day “Mr. Fake” aka, Phil Mickelson. But unquestionably it would be good for golf if he returned to the PGA TOUR and broadcast TV (YouTube Golf???) and starting beefing with all his peers who just can’t stand his shtick.
Photo: Getty Images
Andrew Novak Dominated the VidantaWorld Mexico Open With a Record-Setting Week: Recap and Top 10 Payouts
Balls & Bogeys / Chris Lohman: Andrew Novak, who woke up Monday El Jefe and $1 million richer, took a six-shot lead into Sunday at Vidanta Vallarta and closed with a 2-under 69 to win the VidantaWorld Mexico Open by five strokes. His 25-under 259 set a tournament record for 72 holes.
The 31-year-old built his cushion with rounds of 61 and 62 on Friday and Saturday. The 61 tied the course record, and Novak held the lead from the second round through the finish. It was his second PGA Tour title, but his first individual win; his previous victory came alongside best friend Ben Griffin at the 2025 Zurich Classic.
“I loved Zurich and everything about that tournament. That’s so fun,” Novak said. “But it is nice to have one by myself, too. This is one I’ve been working for for a while. Obviously not a great season for how I wanted it to go, but this is a nice way to kind of finish.” He left Mexico with the trophy, 500 FedExCup points, and richer. A lot richer.
VidantaWorld Mexico Open Payouts:
T2 Kris Ventura, -20, $534,000
Andrew Novak, -25, $1,080,000
T2 Steven Fisk, -20, $534,000
Photo: Getty Images
Andrew Novak WITB: 2026 VidantaWorld Mexico Open
Per Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys: “Andrew Novak’s winning performance at the VidantaWorld Mexico Open puts the spotlight on the equipment he trusted to get the job done. Like many PGA TOUR professionals, Novak relies on a carefully selected mix of clubs rather than sticking with one manufacturer from driver to putter. His winning bag features equipment from Ping, TaylorMade, Srixon and Cleveland, along with a T.P. Mills prototype putter.”
DRIVER: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees), with Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green 60 TX shaft – SHOP HERE
IRONS: Srixon ZXi5 (4), ZXi7 (5-PW), with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts – SHOP HERE
Photo: Getty Images
Michael Block comes up just short of Charles Schwab Cup Championship, 2027 tour card
Per Todd Kelly / Golfweek: “The Block Party has come to an end. For now, at least. Michael Block, who parlayed a string of sponsor invitations into a successful PGA Tour Champions season, will fall just short of reaching the Charles Schwab Cup Championship. The bigger impact for Block is that Only 36 golfers made the finale, but all 36 also are guaranteed tour cards on the senior circuit for the following season.”
B&B POV: Block played his tail off in the 11 senior circuit events he teed it up in this season. Taking advantage of sponsor exemptions and week-to-week auto spots (earned when finishing top 10 in an event), he carded five top 10s and banked $600k. But he came up just short in earning his tour card for the 2027 season, finishing 42nd in points during his truncated season.
A top 36 spot in the points race would have earned his card, so now he’ll need to repeat what he did this year—play week-to-week in Monday qualifiers and earn auto-spots. The Block Party isn’t going away anytime soon, but we’ll have to follow him on socials to see where he turns up next.
LESSON OF THE WEEK
Putting Tips For Pressure Situations | Nick Faldo
Her lesson for us today: small setup tweaks can lead to better ball striking and more confidence on the course.
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