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Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ben Griffin, Andrew Novak team up to win Zurich Classic for their first PGA Tour wins
Winning on the PGA Tour hasn't been easy for Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin. In their 100th and 89th Tour event respectively, they finally took care of business in the Big Easy, winning the 2025 Zurich Classic of New Orleans on Sunday by one stroke over Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard. Novak and Griffin birdied the 71st hole to break a tie and closed in 1-under 71 in the foursomes format at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, Louisiana, for a 72-hole total of 28-under 260. Griffin pumped his fist and then searched for his caddie and partner for the celebration. Advertisement "The reaction said it all," Griffin said. The Zurich Classic is a 72-hole stroke play format featuring four-ball (best ball) during the first and third rounds and foursomes (alternate shot) during the second and final rounds. Griffin and Novak held the 54-hole lead by three strokes but bogeyed three holes on the front nine and had to grind out victory on the back nine. The winning duo, who have played a lot of golf together over the years as residents of Saint Simons Island, Georgia, bogeyed the first but bounced back with a birdie at the second. Novak rammed in a 47-foot birdie putt at the fifth to stretch the lead back to three strokes. But they had to sit out a 93-minute weather delay due to lightning. Ben Griffin of the United States and Andrew Novak of the United States celebrate on the 18th green on day four of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans on April 27, 2025 in Avondale, Louisiana. When play resumed, Griffin and Novak missed an 18-foot par putt at No. 8 and followed with another bogey at nine, shrinking their lead to one at the turn and Capan and Knapp caught them with a birdie at 10. Advertisement It was down to wire with three teams duking it out late on Sunday for the title. The team of identical brothers from Denmark – Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard – trailed by a stroke and needed to make something happen at 18. It looked over when Rasmus blew his tee shot left and couldn't do better than birdie for a 68. Frankie Capan III and Jake Knapp shared the lead and had the honor at the 183-yard par-3 17th. They hadn't made a bogey all day until Capan, a 25-year-old rookie, tugged his tee shot into the water and the best they could do was salvage bogey. They closed in 70 and finished third. Novak stepped up next and his tee shot hit left of the hole and barely stayed dry, hanging on to the fringe. Novak spread his right hand across his heart as CBS's Trevor Immelman noted, 'My heart skipped a beat.' It soared again when Griffin poured in a 35-foot birdie putt to build a two-stroke lead. "The wheels were coming off and I was having some issues out of the weather delay but we kept it together and that putt on 17 was unbelievable," Novak said. This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Ben Griffin, Andrew Novak win Zurich Classic for first PGA Tour wins
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘It resonated with a lot of people': Rory McIlroy reflects on his Masters win, prepares for Zurich
Rory McIlroy is barely a week and a half from the defining victory of his professional life, and he's still riding the shock waves and coasting on the glory of a green jacket. 'It's not every day you get to fulfill one of your lifelong goals and dreams,' he said Wednesday, 'and I've just really tried to enjoy everything that comes along with that.' The Masters win stands as one of the most notable in recent golf history, and to McIlroy, who spent more than 10 years trying to win a major and a lifetime trying to win the Masters, that's because it wasn't just about golf. 'I think people can see themselves in the struggle at times, and everything that you sort of try to put into getting the best out of yourself in that journey,' he said. 'I think people watching someone finally get it done, something they've been trying to do for a decade-plus, I think it resonated with a lot of people.' Although he's now got a fancy new jacket, he's also still got a day job, and that brought him to New Orleans this weekend for the Zurich Classic. He and Ryder Cup teammate/best pal Shane Lowry are the defending champions at the pairs event, and they're hoping to replicate the success that had them singing 'Don't Stop Believin'' karaoke last year: This is not a drill. Rory McIlroy singing Don't Stop Believing — Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) April 28, 2024 'This tournament last year was a really cool moment for both of us. I think it probably injected a little bit of joy back into golf for me in some way, which I think is really, really important, not to lose that,' McIlroy said. 'I had a great year last year, and I think this tournament was sort of the catalyst to the really good golf that I played for the rest of the year.' Last year's event brought out 116,000 fans to TPC Louisiana, and this year's version is likely to match that number since McIlroy is in the field … and stayed in the tournament despite winning the Masters. Lowry laughed about that, saying he remembered standing on the 15th at Augusta National on Sunday, watching the leaderboard and remarking to his caddie that the Zurich date might be in doubt. 'If things didn't go his way, I don't think he'd want to be here,' Lowry said, 'and I thought if things did go his way, he'd want to be somewhere else. But I'm happy he's here.' 'That was one of the things Shane said to me that night, like, 'Are you still wanting to come and play Zurich?'' McIlroy said. 'I said, absolutely. We're defending a title. We had so much fun last year here. Obviously, it's important for me to honor that commitment.' Both recalled their Sunday at Augusta. Lowry had been in contention, but played himself out of the tournament with an ugly Sunday 81. 'Honestly, it was one of the weirdest days ever for me because you're out there trying to win the Masters yourself,' he remembered, 'but then when one of your close friends does it, you have no choice but to be happy for him because it is a great occasion. I think it's a great occasion for golf, for everybody in golf.' 'I do think that the whole day on Sunday at Augusta, I don't think I'll have to ever play a harder round of golf in my life,' McIlroy said. 'I certainly don't want to be placed back on that 15th tee box on that Sunday afternoon.' After he survived that 15th — and a few more challenges besides that — McIlroy finally claimed the green jacket. Since then, he's heard from two presidents and a range of sports and cultural figures, flown across the ocean, and now must figure out what to do with the rest of his golf life. 'I think Rory's goals are, who cares anymore?' Lowry joked, throwing up his hands. 'He can take it easy for a while.' 'I care,' McIlroy insisted, and no one doubts that. Still, for the first time in more than a decade, the pressure is off … at least until the next major rolls around, and the talk of a 2025 grand slam ramps up.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘It resonated with a lot of people': Rory McIlroy reflects on his Masters win, prepares for Zurich
Rory McIlroy is barely a week and a half from the defining victory of his professional life, and he's still riding the shock waves and coasting on the glory of a green jacket. 'It's not every day you get to fulfill one of your lifelong goals and dreams,' he said Wednesday, 'and I've just really tried to enjoy everything that comes along with that.' The Masters win stands as one of the most notable in recent golf history, and to McIlroy, who spent more than 10 years trying to win a major and a lifetime trying to win the Masters, that's because it wasn't just about golf. 'I think people can see themselves in the struggle at times, and everything that you sort of try to put into getting the best out of yourself in that journey,' he said. 'I think people watching someone finally get it done, something they've been trying to do for a decade-plus, I think it resonated with a lot of people.' Although he's now got a fancy new jacket, he's also still got a day job, and that brought him to New Orleans this weekend for the Zurich Classic. He and Ryder Cup teammate/best pal Shane Lowry are the defending champions at the pairs event, and they're hoping to replicate the success that had them singing 'Don't Stop Believin'' karaoke last year: This is not a drill. Rory McIlroy singing Don't Stop Believing — Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) April 28, 2024 'This tournament last year was a really cool moment for both of us. I think it probably injected a little bit of joy back into golf for me in some way, which I think is really, really important, not to lose that,' McIlroy said. 'I had a great year last year, and I think this tournament was sort of the catalyst to the really good golf that I played for the rest of the year.' Last year's event brought out 116,000 fans to TPC Louisiana, and this year's version is likely to match that number since McIlroy is in the field … and stayed in the tournament despite winning the Masters. Lowry laughed about that, saying he remembered standing on the 15th at Augusta National on Sunday, watching the leaderboard and remarking to his caddie that the Zurich date might be in doubt. 'If things didn't go his way, I don't think he'd want to be here,' Lowry said, 'and I thought if things did go his way, he'd want to be somewhere else. But I'm happy he's here.' 'That was one of the things Shane said to me that night, like, 'Are you still wanting to come and play Zurich?'' McIlroy said. 'I said, absolutely. We're defending a title. We had so much fun last year here. Obviously, it's important for me to honor that commitment.' Both recalled their Sunday at Augusta. Lowry had been in contention, but played himself out of the tournament with an ugly Sunday 81. 'Honestly, it was one of the weirdest days ever for me because you're out there trying to win the Masters yourself,' he remembered, 'but then when one of your close friends does it, you have no choice but to be happy for him because it is a great occasion. I think it's a great occasion for golf, for everybody in golf.' 'I do think that the whole day on Sunday at Augusta, I don't think I'll have to ever play a harder round of golf in my life,' McIlroy said. 'I certainly don't want to be placed back on that 15th tee box on that Sunday afternoon.' After he survived that 15th — and a few more challenges besides that — McIlroy finally claimed the green jacket. Since then, he's heard from two presidents and a range of sports and cultural figures, flown across the ocean, and now must figure out what to do with the rest of his golf life. 'I think Rory's goals are, who cares anymore?' Lowry joked, throwing up his hands. 'He can take it easy for a while.' 'I care,' McIlroy insisted, and no one doubts that. Still, for the first time in more than a decade, the pressure is off … at least until the next major rolls around, and the talk of a 2025 grand slam ramps up.
CNN
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Rory McIlroy reveals he spoke to two US presidents after his Masters win
Rory McIlroy has a special shine to him as he returns to competitive action this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and who can blame him after finally ending years of heartbreak with victory at the Masters earlier this month. After so many attempts to complete a historic career grand slam – winning all four of golf's majors – the Northern Irishman finally was able to slip on the famous green jacket and enter himself into the record books. There were emotional scenes in the aftermath of McIlroy's victory at Augusta National, as the relief of the victory became apparent. And as the 35-year-old returns to golfing action at TPC Louisiana on Thursday, McIlroy detailed the 'absolutely amazing' reaction he's had since his victory. 'It's been an amazing few days after, and to be able to reflect on it and everything that happened and the magnitude of everything, I think the big thing for me is just how the whole journey sort of resonated with people and the people that have reached out to me,' McIlroy told reporters on Wednesday, also admitting that he came down with a cold in the days after his victory. 'It's not every day you get to fulfill one of your lifelong goals and dreams, and I've just really tried to enjoy everything that comes along with that.' McIlroy explained that he spent time celebrating in his new house outside of London, as well as visiting family and friends back in Northern Ireland. He also detailed that he spoke to two US Presidents the day after his Masters victory – something he described as 'pretty cool.' 'Just people reaching out from all walks of life, whether it be sports, entertainment, culture. Just all of it,' the five-time major winner said. 'People that you would never even think that would watch golf or would know what's going on, that was very, very humbling, I guess. 'I think people can see themselves in the struggle at times, and everything that you sort of try to put into getting the best out of yourself in that journey. I think people watching someone finally get it done, something they've been trying to do for a decade plus, I think it resonated with a lot of people.' McIlroy returns to New Orleans as the defending champion in the pairs event with his Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry. The two shared an emotional embrace close to the 18th green at Augusta National in the moments after McIlroy's win and now look to retain their title at TPC Louisiana. And the Northern Irishman admitted that he's in the best place possible to continue his good form this week. 'I honestly could not be in a better place in my life professionally, personally, all of it,' he said. 'It's amazing what a year can do. 'This tournament last year was a really cool moment for both of us. I think it probably injected a little bit of joy back into golf for me in some way, which I think is really, really important, not to lose that. For me, I had a great year last year, and I think this tournament was sort of the catalyst to the really good golf that I played for the rest of the year.'
Newsweek
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Tiger Woods' 5-Word Perfect Message to Rory McIlroy Revealed on Tonight Show
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Rory McIlroy has finally returned to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon after more than a decade. The Northern Irishman's last visit to the show was in 2014, when he promised he would only return if he won the Masters Tournament. And he did. Fallon, a hardcore golf fan, had the honor of hosting McIlroy's first public appearance donning his brand-new green jacket. No small feat, considering the overwhelming number of celebrities who contacted the newest member of the Grand Slam club after his victory at Augusta National. It is almost a truism to say that among the first to congratulate McIlroy was one of his professed idols, the legendary Tiger Woods. As the Northern Irishman recounted during the show, Woods sent him a message that was as brief as it was eloquent: "He said, 'Welcome to the club, kid,'" McIlroy recalled. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland poses with the Masters trophy during the Green Jacket Ceremony after winning the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 13, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland poses with the Masters trophy during the Green Jacket Ceremony after winning the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 13, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia. Getty Images/Richard Heathcote The club Woods is referring to is, of course, players to have won all four major championship. He joined Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen as the only players to complete the feat. The 35-year-old also recounted the phone call that he said impressed him the most: "I was sort of overwhelmed with the people that reached out from all different walks of life, you know, culture, entertainment," he said. "But the one that got me was Sir Elton John. That was, like, incredible." As is usually the case with the best stories, this one was not lacking in humor: "I actually haven't been able to connect with him," McIlroy said. "His assistant left me a voicemail and said, 'Sir Elton would love to congratulate you in person. The only problem is, he doesn't have a cellphone [laughs]. So you might get a call from a number in Windsor, England, from a landline.'" "I'm like, 'Sure'. But we haven't been able to connect. So I'd love to reach out. And I just think it' know, it's Elton John. That's so cool of him to do that. I didn't even know Elton John knew what golf was." From millions of ordinary citizens to two presidents, the 5-time major winner received congratulations from virtually the entire world. A few days ago, McIlroy pointed precisely that as the biggest takeaway from his victory: "I think the big thing for me is just how the whole journey sort of resonated with people and the people that have reached out to me," he said from the TPC Louisiana ahead of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. "That's been absolutely amazing." "I spoke to two presidents the day after, which was pretty cool," he added. "Just people reaching out from all walks of life, whether it be sports, entertainment, culture. Just all of it. People you would never even think would watch golf or would know what's going on; that was very, very humbling." Rory McIlroy won the 2025 Masters Tournament in his 17th appearance at Augusta National Golf Club. It was also his 11th attempt to win golf's Grand Slam, a career achievement reserved for players who win each of the major championships at least once. After winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Players Championship earlier this season, the 29-time PGA Tour winner was the odds-on favorite to win the Masters Tournament. He justified those predictions, but not without a fight, as he had to go all the way to the playoff, where he defeated Justin Rose to finally claim the green jacket. More Golf: Michael Block Party Clinches PGA Championship Return with Epic Performance
