Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin want to win on the PGA Tour and doing so together would be just fine with them.
The Novak/Griffin duo moved into the lead in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans after posting an 11-under-par 61 in Saturday’s best-ball format during the third round at TPC Louisiana.
“That’s what we both practice for and play on the PGA Tour,” Griffin said. “We want to compete against the best players and want to ultimately test ourselves and try to get it done.”
They’re at 27 under through three days going into Sunday’s final round with a three-stroke advantage over two teams in Avondale, La.
“I think it’s just the next step,” Novak said. “I think I have proven I can get into contention reasonably consistently at this point. It’s just proving to myself that I can win a tournament.”
Jake Knapp and Frankie Capan III are lurking at 24 under after recording 60 in the third round, with only a bogey 6 on the last hole damaging a spectacular round. Japanese teammates Ryo Hisatsune and Takumi Kanaya are also at 24 under after posting a 61.
Novak, who last weekend was the runner-up in the RBC Heritage after losing to Justin Thomas in a playoff, and Griffin have never won on the PGA Tour. This is the tour’s lone team event of the year.
Play was suspended for 90 minutes on Saturday afternoon because of lightning. The format goes back to foursomes for Sunday’s round.
PGA Tour rookies Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo, who were leaders through two rounds, shot 66 and are tied with twins Nicolai Hojgaard and Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmark in fourth place at 23 under. The Hojgaard brothers recorded 64, highlighted by an eagle for Nicolai on No. 8.
Defending champions Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy (61 on Saturday) of Ireland and Northern Ireland, respectively, rose into a share of the lead before others finished. They’re tied for sixth place at 22 under with Australia’s Cam Davis and Canada’s Adam Svensson (61), and Luke List and Sweden’s Henrik Norlander (61).
“As long as we keep having fun out there, that’ll be the best way for us to get the best out of ourselves,” McIlroy said.
The Lowry/McIlroy team was within two shots after Lowry’s chip-in for eagle on No. 7. Following the weather delay, it was McIlroy’s turn to putt and he eagled No. 18, putting the team in a share of the lead. That came just one hole after the duo’s lone bogey of the round.
“Obviously a great way to finish,” McIlroy said. “I think the secret is not thinking about it in those 90 minutes.”
Novak chipped in for birdie on No. 13, noting that was his third chip-in of the tournament.
“That was pretty makeable,” Novak said.
The Novak/Griffin team, which didn’t have a bogey on the card, birdied the final two holes, both courtesy of Griffin. They realize that no lead looks safe this weekend.
“Three shots can be gone pretty quick,” Novak said. “It’s nice to have it, but we’re going to have to still play well.”
Capan had a stretch of six birdies in a seven-hole span as part of the day’s best team score.
“We birdied a lot of opposite holes, so that helped a lot,” Capan said. “I really think we both had a good chance on most every hole, and in a best ball, it’s nice to just have a lot of looks at it.”
Capan, a rookie, will be aiming for his first championship.
“Having Jake by my side has been great,” he said. “He was helping me with a couple things on the range yesterday, even for some tee shots today that I felt like really helped.”
The Hojgaard twins also are bidding to be first-time PGA Tour winners.
“It’s always nice to have someone next to you that has your back,” Rasmus Hojgaard said. “I think there is a lot of trust and belief in each other.”
Taylor Dickson and Trace Crowe are at 21 under after Saturday’s 61, joining Michael Thorbjornsen and Australia’s Karl Vilips after their 61. Trey Mullinax and Robby Shelton (63); David Lipsky and Dylan Wu (63); and Sam Stevens and Max McGreevy (63) are also at 21 under.
–Field Level Media
