Three consecutive top-three finishes. A heartbreaking playoff loss. Four top-10 finishes between them. The 2025 PGA Tour season had been filled with tantalizing close calls for Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin. Novak arrived at the Zurich Classic after playing in the final group for three straight Sundays, including his playoff defeat to Justin Thomas at the RBC Heritage just one week earlier. Griffin had posted back-to-back T4 finishes at the Mexico Open and Cognizant Classic, consistently knocking on victory’s door, but something finally clicked for the duo at TPC Louisiana.

They clinched the Zurich Classic of New Orleans by a single stroke over the Højgaard twins. In an exclusive interview with the Dan on Golf podcast, the pair revealed that their triumph wasn’t just about lifting a trophy. It was about financial security and the immense relief that comes with finally crossing that elusive finish line first. “I think it’s monkey off the back,” Griffin revealed on the podcast moments after securing their victory.

The 28-year-old North Carolina native wasn’t just referring to the competitive achievement. He was acknowledging the broader implications for their careers. “There’s a lot of benefits to winning on the PGA Tour in terms of job security and retirement,” Griffin explained. “For us now, we kind of can play stress-free golf the rest of the year.”  They each earned $1,329,400 from the $9.2 million purse.

This financial security often goes unmentioned amid celebrations. PGA Tour players need five consecutive seasons to vest their retirement funds. With this victory securing their cards through 2027, both players have effectively locked up those benefits – a significant achievement considering their respective journeys.

“We still both know our games were basically B+ to A+ games all week long,” Griffin reflected. The breakthrough came courtesy of his clutch 35-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole, followed by a steady par at the last. For Novak, the win was a welcome reward after his recent stretch of near-misses, as his resilience was finally vindicated.

How Griffin and Andrew Novak’s parallel journeys converged for championship success

The victory felt like destiny for two players whose paths have intertwined since junior golf days. Carolina natives who reconnected while living in Sea Island, Georgia, their shared experiences created a natural partnership that proved successful under pressure.

Griffin’s journey has been particularly remarkable. In 2021, he walked away from golf entirely, taking a job as a mortgage loan officer while carrying over $15,000 in credit card debt. His return to professional golf came only after he received support from mentors and sponsors.

Novak’s path wasn’t smoother. Starting as a range assistant at 16, he worked his way through college golf at Wofford before grinding through mini-tours and the Korn Ferry Tour. His consistency this season has been remarkable, as he has risen to sixth in the FedExCup standings following the win.

“I feel like we’ve had similar tracks to where we are today,” Griffin explained to the podcast. “It seems like a movie script, like it’s not real. But it’s just perfect how it all came together.”

Their on-course chemistry was evident throughout the tournament. Even during Sunday’s weather delay, they maintained composure while other contenders faltered. Defending champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry made three bogeys in a five-hole stretch, falling out of contention.

Now both players can look ahead without the burden of being labeled “almost winners.” The question becomes which of these friends will capture their first solo PGA Tour title first? With pressure lifted and confidence soaring, that answer might come sooner than anyone expects.