Novak and Coughlin Set Scoring Record

Mixed-Team Duo Goes 28-Under at Grant Thornton, Q-School Crowns Five New Tour Members

December 16, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

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December 16, 2025

SUB 60 HEADLINES

Andrew Novak and Lauren Coughlin turned the Grant Thornton Invitational into a masterclass of mixed-team golf, shooting a tournament-record 28-under to capture the title in Naples, Florida. The American duo posted rounds of 62-63-63 to finish at 188, claiming the $1 million prize ($500,000 each) and a one-shot victory over three teams tied at 25-under.

Novak and Coughlin’s chemistry proved unstoppable through the three-format tournament—scramble, modified foursomes, and four-ball. Their final-round 63 featured three consecutive Novak birdies on holes 13-15 that sealed the win, with Coughlin adding a clutch birdie at the par-5 18th. “Lauren’s probably the single-most reliable golfer I’ve ever played with,” Novak said. For Coughlin, the $500,000 marked the largest single-event payday of her LPGA career.

Over at TPC Sawgrass, five players earned 2026 PGA TOUR cards through Q-School Finals. Canadian A.J. Ewart claimed medalist honors at 14-under, while Dylan Wu won a dramatic playoff for the fifth and final card. Marcelo Rozo, a 36-year-old Colombian, earned his first TOUR card and admitted he “cried before leaving my house this morning.”

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Scottie Scheffler added another accolade to his trophy case, winning the Jack Nicklaus Award as PGA TOUR Player of the Year for the fourth consecutive season—becoming the first golfer since Tiger Woods (1999-2003) to accomplish the feat. Scheffler’s 2025 season included six victories (PGA Championship, Open Championship at Royal Portrush, Memorial, BMW Championship, CJ Cup Byron Nelson, and Procore Championship), a tour-best 68.131 scoring average, and a remarkable 85% top-10 finish rate. South Africa’s Aldrich Potgieter claimed Rookie of the Year honors after winning the Rocket Classic.

COMING UP THIS WEEK

The PGA TOUR season remains in its offseason, with the PNC Championship (December 20-21) serving as the next major event—though Tiger Woods and son Charlie have withdrawn as Tiger recovers from his seventh back surgery. The family event at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando features defending champions Bernhard and Jason Langer, plus Nelly Korda with father Petr and Annika Sörenstam with 14-year-old son Will McGee as the youngest competitor.

The official 2026 PGA TOUR season opens January 15-18 at the Sony Open in Hawaii after the Sentry Tournament of Champions was canceled due to drought conditions at Kapalua.

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WINNERS FROM LAST WEEK: CORE FORE

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OFFICIAL WORLD GOLF RANKINGS: TOP 60

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