Andrew Novak’s victory in the Zurich Classic alongside friend Ben Griffin ended his long quest for a PGA Tour title – and left Justin Thomas relieved after his win at the RBC Heritage

Justin Thomas will have been thrilled to see Andrew Novak finally win on the PGA Tour(Image: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Justin Thomas was among the most grateful players in golf after Andrew Novak finally clinched his first PGA Tour title.

Thomas recently edged out Novak to snatch victory at the RBC Heritage in a play-off, his first win since his triumph at the USPGA Championship in 2022.

Following the extension of Novak’s chase for a tour title, Thomas couldn’t shake off the fear that he would be tormented by fellow players, just as Jordan Spieth was when he denied veteran Tom Gillis at the John Deere Classic in 2015.

Back then, Gillis, 46, was vying to become the oldest first-time winner on the PGA Tour in two decades, only to be thwarted by three-time major winner Spieth. For Gillis, it was the closest he ever came to ending his search for a title.

“Spieth was in a play-off with Tom Gillis, who doesn’t play professionally anymore, and Jordan beat him,” recalled Thomas on the Pardon My Take podcast.

“And for the whole year [PGA star] Jason Duffner was grilling Jordan like, ‘man, you just ruined Tom Gillis’ career, he would’ve had a two-year exemption, he would’ve been in Maui, he could’ve taken his family there, he could’ve been swimming with the dolphins with the tournament champions, but you had to beat him in a play-off and ruin his life’.”

But Thomas said it was only a matter of time for Novak, adding: “Gilly was a little closer to the end of his career, and Andrew’s playing well, but I hadn’t thought of that after telling the story, and so I definitely hope it pans out now [for Novak].”

Novak came up just short against Thomas in the RBC Heritage(Image: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Thomas’ faith was entirely justified as, just a week later, Novak finally won on the PGA Tour, taking the Zurich Classic in New Orleans alongside Ben Griffin, 28, with the pair sharing the £1m top prize.

As Danish brothers Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard took second, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, last year’s champions, fell to a tie for 12th place following a final round 72.

Ben Griffin (left) and Novak after winning the Zurich Classic in New Orleans(Image: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Novak credited his success to maintaining a positive mindset, especially after several near misses. He said: “I’ve done a pretty good job not getting overly frustrated with the close shaves.

“I’ve been trying to take as many positives from each as I can. There was a lot of confidence coming into this week for sure.”

The pair played against each other on the youth circuit before becoming firm friends in their early years as professionals.

Griffin said: “We’ve done just about everything in our career together. It’s just a full-circle moment. I feel like we’ve had similar tracks to where we are today.”