Coughlin and Novak (and their gear setup) took home the Thornton Invitational winners’ trophies this weekend
At the 2025 Grant Thornton Invitational, Lauren Coughlin and Andrew Novak delivered an excellent performance that truly embodied the spirit of the mixed-team event: complementary skill sets, smart strategy, enough smiles to lighten the mood when needed, and elite execution under pressure. Playing at the beautiful Tiburón Golf Club, the duo outperformed a surprisingly strong field to win the title and secure their place in tournament history.
Over 54 holes, Coughlin and Novak proved both relentless. Their final score of 28-under par not only secured a three-shot victory, but also set a tournament record. The closing round, played in modified four-ball, showcased their chemistry at its best. Novak applied pressure with aggressive ball-striking and timely birdies, while Coughlin provided steady precision and clutch putting when momentum threatened to swing.
The win carried added significance. The kind that pays the bills. For Coughlin, the $500,000 winner’s share marked the largest payday of her career. For Novak, it was further confirmation of his growing reputation as one of the PGA Tour’s most reliable performers in team formats. Together, they demonstrated that success at the Grant Thornton is less about overpowering a golf course and more about balance — a theme that carries directly into their equipment choices.
A Tale of Two Setups: Optimized, Not Identical
A look inside the winning bags of Coughlin and Novak reveals two distinctly different equipment philosophies — each perfectly suited to the player using it.
Lauren Coughlin: Built for Launch, Consistency, and Gapping
Coughlin’s bag leans heavily on forgiveness and launch optimization. Her Ping G440 Max/K driver and fairway woods, paired with lighter KBS shafts, are designed to maximize carry and stability. Rather than relying on long irons, like most female pros, she carries multiple hybrids, creating reliable distance gaps and higher launch windows into long approach shots.
Her Ping i240 irons strike a critical balance: compact enough for shot control, but forgiving enough to maintain ball speed on slight mishits. (NOTE: Pros hit shi* shots too.) Around the greens, her wedge setup favors versatility and creativity — an essential advantage in high-pressure scoring situations.
Why this setup is ideal for elite female competitive golfers:
- Encourages higher launch and softer landings into firm championship caliber greens
- Improves consistency across long-iron distances
- Reduces dispersion over four rounds. Dispersion = “oh, shi*!” shots
- Prioritizes scoring reliability over extreme shot-shaping
This is a modern LPGA Tour blueprint — efficient, repeatable, and relentlessly effective.
Andrew Novak: Controlling Power at the Highest Level
Novak’s bag, by contrast, is built to manage speed and precision. He’s a big boy. With a big boy setup.
His Ping G440 LST driver and TX-flex shafts are engineered to reduce spin and stabilize the club at elite swing speeds. Fairway woods replace hybrids, giving him more shot-making options and better control in the wind. We love his choice of a 5-wood.
His Srixon combo iron set — transitioning from ZXi5 to ZXi7 — rewards pure ball-striking, while heavy Dynamic Gold Tour Issue shafts keep trajectories flatter and more predictable under pressure. Even though his Cleveland RTZ wedges aren’t Vokeys, which are the best of the best, they are a solid choice, and we know Novak gets paid handsomely to play them. They’re a good option for all golfers and provide maximum feedback and spin control.
Why this setup suits stronger male professionals:
- Controls launch and spin at high swing speeds – which is especially important in windy conditions
- Enhances workability and trajectory manipulation
- Rewards elite contact and aggressive play
- Built for attacking pins, not protecting against misses
Final Word
Coughlin and Novak’s Grant Thornton Invitational victory was a masterclass in complementary excellence — and their equipment choices reflect that same harmony. Neither setup is universally “better,” but each is perfectly optimized for the demands of the player and the level at which they compete. It’s a powerful reminder that in modern professional golf, the smartest bag is the one that fits you — not the one that simply wins trophies.
Lauren Coughlin’s Golf Gear:
Driver: Ping G440 K (9 degrees)
3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Hybrid: Ping G440 (20 degrees @18.5)
Hybrid: Ping G425 (22 degrees @21)
Hybrid: Ping G425 (26 degrees)
Irons: Ping i240 (6-PW)
Wedges: Ping Blueprint S (PW/48.5), Ping S159 (54-S, 58-H)
Putter: Ping PLD Milled Oslo 4
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Andrew Novak Golf Gear:
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees)
Irons: Srixon ZXi5 (4-6), Srixon ZXi7 (7-PW)
Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50, 54, 60)
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Milled Seven T S
Ball: Srizon Z-Star Diamond