Andrew Novak Shoots Record 61 to Lead Mexico Open by Three Shots

Andrew Novak shot a 10-under 61 in the second round of the VidantaWorld Mexico Open on Friday to take a three-shot lead into the weekend. He stands at 14-under 128 after two rounds at Vidanta Vallarta in Mexico.

The 61 matches the tournament’s 18-hole record and Novak’s own lowest score on the PGA Tour. Five players share second place at 11 under, three shots behind him.

How Novak shot 61

Novak made nine birdies, one eagle and one bogey in his second round. The big moment came at the drivable par-4 13th hole, where he drove the green and rolled in a 12-foot putt for eagle. He then birdied three of his last four holes, closing with a 20-foot birdie putt.

He did it with an old putter he found in a cupboard at home. “It’s rusted out, it’s old, but I know it works,” he said. Novak leads the field in putting this week, gaining 7.804 strokes on the field over two rounds.

Who is chasing him

Ben Griffin, amateur Kihei Akina, Matthieu Pavon, Adrien Dumont de Chassart and Kensei Hirata share second place at 11 under. Griffin shot 67, Akina shot 64, Pavon shot 66, Dumont de Chassart shot 67 and Hirata shot 68. Hirata is the only player in the top group without a bogey in two rounds.

First-round leader Karl Vilips fell back after a strong start. He followed his opening 62 with a 74 and now sits at 6 under, eight shots behind Novak. The cut fell at 4 under, leaving 68 players for the weekend.

What is at stake

The Mexico Open is part of the FedExCup Fall series, and a win would lift Novak from 89th to a projected 53rd in the standings. That matters for his PGA Tour card for 2027. Novak finished tied eighth here in 2024, and this is his second career 36-hole lead on Tour.

The third round continues on Saturday at Vidanta Vallarta. Football fans also have a big weekend, with Premier League Matchweek 9 Preview: Liverpool vs Arsenal, Chelsea vs Man United and Man City vs Brighton on the schedule.

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