Novak and Coughlin Dominate Grant Thornton Invitational With Record‑Setting Performance

Andrew Novak and Lauren Coughlin clinched a three‑shot victory at the Grant Thornton Invitational, shooting a 9‑under 63 in modified fourballs and setting a tournament record of 28‑under 188.

A Birdie‑Filled Victory

The pair’s final round was a showcase of precision and timing. Novak made three straight birdies on the back nine, while Coughlin finished off their 9‑under 63. Their combined score of 28‑under 188 was the lowest in the tournament’s history.

The Battle for the Lead

For most of the day, the duo was kept in check by Chris Gotterup and Jennifer Kupcho. Both players struggled to find the green on the par‑5 17th at Tiburon Golf Club, turning difficult lies into hard pars. Novak and Coughlin, positioned behind them in the final group, seized the moment. Novak’s 6‑foot birdie putt on the 17th gave the team a two‑shot cushion heading into the final hole.

Record‑Breaking Performance

“​We had more holes than anyone else,” Novak said, pointing to the abundance of birdie chances that unfolded in the stretch. He holed a 7‑foot birdie putt on the 13th, followed by a pair of 10‑foot birdie putts on the 14th and 15th, and what effectively was the clincher on the 17th.

Novak also revealed that he didn’t realize how close the competition was until he saw a leaderboard on the 13th green. Even then, he and Coughlin knew they had an advantage.

Prize Money and Recognition

Both players earned $500,000, the largest payoff for Coughlin, who had twice won on the LPGA last year. Novak’s win at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the only team event on the PGA Tour, added another mixed‑team title to his résumé. He jokingly said it would be the “modern day grand slam” to capture a mixed‑team title that pairs PGA Tour and LPGA Tour players.

Looking Ahead

While Novak and Coughlin celebrated, the other teams finished close behind. Gotterup and Kupcho, Denny McCarthy and Nelly Korda, and Michael Brennan and Charley Hull all recorded 63, 63, and 65 respectively.

Korda missed a 10‑foot birdie putt on the 18th hole that could have given her and McCarthy a sliver of hope, leaving them alone in second place. She has another opportunity to win this year, teaming with her father next week in the PNC Championship.

Key Takeaways

• Novak and Coughlin win the Grant Thornton Invitational with a record‑setting 28‑under 188.
• The pair’s 9‑under 63 finished three shots ahead of the nearest competitors.
• Both earned $500,000, with Coughlin’s prize the largest she has earned on the LPGA.

The victory underscores the strength of mixed‑team play on the PGA and LPGA tours and sets the stage for future competitions.