logo
Zurich Classic karaoke returns as Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak sing 'We are the Champions'

Zurich Classic karaoke returns as Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak sing 'We are the Champions'

USA Today29-04-2025

Zurich Classic karaoke returns as Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak sing 'We are the Champions'
It's the tradition unlike any other at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans we never knew we needed: champion karaoke.
Thanks to Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry joining the volunteer party on Sunday night last year after their victory in the PGA Tour's lone two-man team event and belting out Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin,' it has become a thing for the winners to take to the stage and celebrate with a diddy or two. If it wasn't already a thing, it officially is now.
That's because Ben Griffin and Andrew Novak, who won for the first time on Tour, were up to the challenge. Asked in a post-victory TV interview to rate their karaoke abilities, Griffin said, 'Andrew looks a little bit concerned. I'm ready to take on anything. I feel unstoppable right now.'
'I can't sing,' Novak said. 'I can try to sing. I just can't sing.'
But when the winning duo reached the stage, they chose another all-time classic in Queen's 'We are the Champions.'
Novak was right — he can't sing. But the band and its lead singer covered as best they could.
'We've got to put some moves into it,' the lead singer told the audience. 'Y'all want to see these brothers, get down?'
And with that the band busted into Kool & The Gang's 'Get Down on It.' Griffin rose to the occasion. Novak? He shook his champion's belt and played along.
'I give myself like an A-,' Griffin said afterwards.
'Singing and dancing is bottom tier for me. That was a pretty good effort on my part,' Novak added. 'Ben's got it down, I don't. That's why we're a team.'
A winning team on the PGA Tour and with a passing grade for their first victory celebration under their belt.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

LIV signs Josele Ballester, golfer who urinated on 13th hole at Masters, to multi-year deal
LIV signs Josele Ballester, golfer who urinated on 13th hole at Masters, to multi-year deal

Yahoo

time32 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

LIV signs Josele Ballester, golfer who urinated on 13th hole at Masters, to multi-year deal

LIV Golf has signed its first Whiz Kid. But this is not quite the splash the Saudi-backed league looks for. Spaniard Josele Ballester, who is best known for urinating on the 13th hole at the 2025 Masters, signed a multi-year contract to join the Fireballs captained by Sergio Garcia. Advertisement Ballester, who played at Arizona State, is No. 5 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and won the 2024 U.S. Amateur. After hitting his third shot on the par-5 13th during the first round of the Masters, the 21-year-old Ballester walked toward a tributary of Rae's Creek that runs along the left side of the fairway and took relief … into the water with his back to the fans but in plain sight. After zipping up he received a loud ovation. AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 10: Amateur Jose Luis Ballester of Spain walks on the 18th hole during the first round of the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by) "They saw me. They saw me," Ballester said after carding a 76. "It was not embarrassing at all for me. If I had to do it again, I would do it again. "Probably one of the (loudest) claps that I got today. Real loud, so that was kind of funny." Advertisement Ballester said he forgot about the restrooms behind the 13th tee box. After shooting a 78 in the second round, and missing the cut at 10-over, Ballester said he apologized to the club. "I think we just move on from this moment,' he added. Garcia has known Ballester "since he could pick up a golf club." Ballester has been coached by Victor Garcia, Sergio's father. "Josele is going to be a great addition not only to the Fireballs but also to the LIV League and I can't wait to be with him by his side as he makes his professional debut,' Garcia said. Ballester will make his LIV debut this week at the event held at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia. Luke Clanton says joining PGA Tour simple, wants to play 'against the best' Luke Clanton waves to the crowd on the 15th hole during the third round of the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches at PGA National Resort & Spa on Saturday, March 1, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Ballester's decision comes as Luke Clanton, the former Florida State standout who has been the world No. 1 amateur for the last 10 months, said his decision to join the PGA Tour over LIV was simple. Advertisement "I want to play the PGA Tour, pretty simple," Clanton, 21, said at the RBC Canadian Open, where he will make his professional debut. "I want to play against the best, I want to compete in majors, and that's it. Simple." Clanton, who is from Hialeah, has made 13 PGA starts as an amateur. He earned the required points for full PGA Tour status when he made the cut at the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches in February. Clanton finished tied for 18th at Cognizant with a 12-under 272. Tom D'Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@ This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Josele Ballester, who urinated at Masters, signs with LIV Golf

U.S. Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester joins Sergio Garcia's LIV team
U.S. Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester joins Sergio Garcia's LIV team

NBC Sports

time33 minutes ago

  • NBC Sports

U.S. Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester joins Sergio Garcia's LIV team

GAINESVILLE, Va. — U.S. Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester of Spain has joined LIV Golf and will make his professional debut this week at the Saudi-funded league's Virginia event. Ballester, who goes by the nickname Josele, signed a multiyear contract, LIV said Wednesday, and will be part of the Fireballs team captained by fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia. 'We are very excited about Josele joining the team,' Garcia said in a statement. 'Personally, I have known him since he could pick up a golf club and he has worked with my father as his coach throughout his golf career.' Brentley Romine, The 21-year-old Ballester recently concluded his senior season at Arizona State, the alma mater of LIV stars Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson. He finished third in the PGA Tour University standings, earning him full status on the Korn Ferry Tour, but Golf Channel reported Monday that he declined membership on the PGA Tour's top developmental circuit. Although he missed the cut at the Masters in April, Ballester had a viral moment when he relieved himself in Rae's Creek on the par-5 13th hole. Ballester defeated Noah Kent, 2 up, in the 36-hole U.S. Amateur final at Hazeltine last August. Although he is turning professional, he keeps his spot in next week's U.S. Open at Oakmont as the reigning champion of the USGA's top amateur event. Ballester joins Abraham Ancer and David Puig alongside Garcia on the Fireballs. Luis Masaveu loses his full-time spot on the team, although he remains in the lineup this week because Puig has a back injury. Masaveu does not have status on any other tour and he would be banned from competing in PGA Tour events for a year after his final LIV appearance.

US Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester of Spain joins LIV Golf
US Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester of Spain joins LIV Golf

San Francisco Chronicle​

timean hour ago

  • San Francisco Chronicle​

US Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester of Spain joins LIV Golf

GAINESVILLE, Va. (AP) — U.S. Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester of Spain has joined LIV Golf and will make his professional debut this week at the Saudi-funded league's Virginia event. Ballester, who goes by the nickname Josele, signed a multiyear contract, LIV said Wednesday, and will be part of the Fireballs team captained by fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia. 'We are very excited about Josele joining the team,' Garcia said in a statement. 'Personally, I have known him since he could pick up a golf club and he has worked with my father as his coach throughout his golf career.' The 21-year-old Ballester recently concluded his senior season at Arizona State, the alma mater of LIV stars Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson. He finished third in the PGA Tour University standings, earning him full status on the Korn Ferry Tour, but Golf Channel reported Monday that he declined membership on the PGA Tour's top developmental circuit. Although he missed the cut at the Masters in April, Ballester had a viral moment when he relieved himself in Rae's Creek on the par-5 13th hole. Ballester defeated Noah Kent 2 up in the 36-hole U.S. Amateur final at Hazeltine last August. Although he is turning professional, he keeps his spot in next week's U.S. Open at Oakmont as the reigning champion of the USGA's top amateur event. Ballester joins Abraham Ancer and David Puig alongside Garcia on the Fireballs. Luis Masaveu loses his full-time spot on the team, although he remains in the lineup this week because Puig has a back injury. ___

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store