SAN ANTONIO — The second Andrew Novak made contact with a 5-iron on TPC San Antonio’s signature 16th hole on Saturday, he knew he needed some divine intervention.
Although Novak made par a year ago at the Valero Texas Open with a shot that bounced off the grandstands of the hole nicknamed “The Avocado,” Saturday’s round was played in a strong wind, and the former Wofford College star had no idea what might become of his wayward shot as it left the tee box.
But Novak, who’s still in search of his first PGA Tour victory, didn’t need to worry.
The ball kissed the bottom of the structure and bounced right on the green, giving him a 5-foot birdie putt that was one of the luckiest shots in a 69 that was among the day’s best rounds.
“That pin was tucked over there on the right and you don’t really want to miss much left, so you’re kind of going at it,” he said. “I pushed it, the wind caught it. Obviously, not a great shot, but I know if it’s over there, there’s some space, it can be OK. I didn’t expect it to kick back and go on the green, that was obviously ridiculous. Not the best swing and sometimes golf rewards you.”
Of course, there was still work to be done. Novak had to hole the putt, giving him three straight birdies on the par 3 for the week and helping as he finished at 9 under par, three strokes behind leader Brian Harman and all alone in second place.
“That was about as much pressure as I felt on a putt in a while because both guys in my group, Carson (Young) and Emiliano (Grillo), also hit great shots and made their putts,” Novak said. “So we had two birdies in. I can’t get that break and then miss the putt, be the only guy not to make birdie. Luckily made a good putt, poured it right in.”
Since he realized what good fortune the grandstands brought, he stopped to offer his John Hancock at the spot where it hit.
Novak, one of the numerous Tour players to set up shop at St. Simons Island, Ga., is bidding to become the best player that the Wofford golf program has ever produced. He’s only the second from that small South Carolina school to earn a PGA Tour card, following William McGirt.
McGirt still has one thing over Novak: a PGA Tour victory, at the 2016 Memorial. Novak could become the second Wofford alum to win on the Tour, and it would have the added bonus of getting him into the Masters field. It will likely take a gritty effort in what are expected to be difficult conditions, but Novak thinks he has the right game plan.
“It’s just going to be patience,” he said. “Pars are going to do really well. Obviously, it depends on what guys do, but if I can just keep it in front of me, stay out of like the disaster, keep it out of the jungle, give my putter a few chances, see how it goes.”
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