Andrew Novak went 5 under par over the final six holes on Friday to grab a three-shot lead halfway through the VidantaWorld Mexico Open in Vallarta, Mexico.
Novak posted a 10-under-par 61, the round of the tournament so far, to move to 14-under 128 and move three shots ahead of amateur Kihei Akina (64), Ben Griffin (67), Frenchman Matthieu Pavon (66), Belgium’s Adrien Dumont de Chassart (67) and Japan’s Kensei Hirata (68).
Gordon Sargent (65), Max Greyserman (67) and Canadian Mackenzie Hughes (67) share seventh place at 10-under. England’s Marco Penge reached his final hole at 3-under for the day and 10-under for the tournament.
Novak was among several players to eagle the par-4 13th hole, which played at just 296 yards Friday. He drove the green and converted a 12-foot eagle putt before adding birdies at Nos. 15, 16 and 18 to seize the lead.
Novak entered the tournament No. 89 in the FedEx Cup Fall points standings, and a win would vault him to a projected No. 53. The top 100 players at the end of the fall retain full status on tour. Finishing in the 51-to-60 range grants players access to the first two signature events of 2027.
Akina eagled the short 13th hole with a 15-foot putt. He also drained a putt from 28 1/2 feet away for birdie at No. 18.
First-round leader Karl Vilips of Australia followed his red-hot round of 62 with a 3-over 74 to drop back to 6 under for the tournament.
Notable names in line to miss the cut, projected at 4 under, included Tony Finau (3 under), Canadian Taylor Pendrith (2 under), Wyndham Clark (even par) and Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard (even).
