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Pro kept missing putts, and no one knew why. Then he made a clever switch

Andrew Novak’s struggles with the putter had baffled both him and the PGA Tour’s top analysts for months. Despite testing elite consistency on practice greens—ranked 155th in strokes gained: putting earlier this year—Novak repeatedly turned solid rounds into missed opportunities, finishing rounds in the low 70s with no clear explanation.

Even after extensive machine testing and coaching feedback confirming his technique was flawless, he remained the worst putter on tour, a frustration that persisted through three top-20 finishes before the Wyndham Championship in August. Then, in a stroke of luck, he rediscovered an old, rusted putter buried in a closet.

Switching to it at Wyndham sparked an immediate turnaround: he tied for seventh and jumped to 33rd in strokes gained: putting, a trend that continued through the Biltmore Championship Asheville and Butterfield Bermuda Championship. This week at the Vidanta World Mexico Open, Novak is leading after 36 holes with a 10-under 61—tying his personal best and the course record—while ranking first in the field in strokes gained: putting.

Novak credits the change to simplifying his approach, ditching overanalysis for a more instinctive stroke. The third round begins Saturday at 4 p.m.

ET on Golf Channel, where Novak’s transformation will be put to the test against a deep field.

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