ZURICH CLASSIC OF NEW ORLEANS

April 25, 2025

Ben Griffin

Andrew Novak

TPC Louisiana

Quick Quotes

Q. Andrew, 6-under 66, excellent day for you guys. If we can get some comments on what worked so well today.

ANDREW NOVAK: There was a lot of good golf shots today. There was really only one hole out there I felt like we were in trouble at any point really. Our short games kind of take care of a lot of missteps. But a lot of good putting, and seven birdies today. That's really strong for alternate shot.

Q. Ben, talk about what worked so well.

BEN GRIFFIN: Yeah, I think we're both in solid form right now, feeding off each other. It's nice seeing good golf shots. Seeing him roll in putts helps me when it gets to my turn to putt.

I think between the two of us we probably could have been easily three or four. He had one putt, we don't know how it missed, on the back edge, and I missed a couple of those mid-range shorter putts that you kind of hope to make but statistically are probably 50/50. If I can get those to drop going into the weekend, that would be nice. But yeah, we're both in really good spots and we're both hungry.

Q. Andrew, which format do you like better through two rounds, and just talk a little bit about your goals for the weekend.

ANDREW NOVAK: I think four-ball can be less stressful, but I feel like in this tournament to win, you've really got to get after the alternate shot days because that's where you can separate yourself. I thought what we did today was awesome. If we play the way we've been playing the last two days, I like our chances this weekend

BEN GRIFFIN: Yeah, exactly what he said. Fortunately I like where both of our games are at for alternate shot. I feel like that's where we can really separate ourselves. The best ball day, it's kind of a crapshoot; you're just trying to make as many birdies as possible. Got to think this weekend almost every team is going to shoot somewhere between 7- and 11-under in best ball.

It's really hard to separate yourselves, but a day like today you could easily see a good team shoot even and we shoot 6-under. That's where we can make a jump, and I think we're both really excited to get to Sunday and have a chance.

Q. Nice birdie there on the last, Andrew. Take us through that shot.

ANDREW NOVAK: I couldn't have had a better number for a 9-iron there. I wasn't really planning on being super aggressive. Pin kind of near the water, but with the wind down and off the right with that pin, it was just a perfect 9, put it out there, let the wind bring it in, and four feet there.

Q. Just talk a little bit about your season. I know a little disappointed last week, but talk about how well both of you guys are playing so far this year.

ANDREW NOVAK: Yeah, early in the year I was doing one week decent, one week poor, some missed cuts, but I've kind of hit my stride now. When I've played well, it's been really good and the putter has been better than it's ever been, and that's kind of been the one thing in previous years I felt like when I got the putter going I was always going to contend, and now that the putter seems to be good darned near every week, I'm kind of contending every week.

Q. Ben, talk about your season, as well.

BEN GRIFFIN: Yeah, it's been solid. I got in the mix a couple times, as well. Not as recently as Andrew, but still, recently enough to where I'm still trying to stay hungry. I'm hungry anyway to try to win out here.

Fortunately we both put ourselves in good positions in a few events, so we've been in the moment, and it's only a matter of time for each of us to knock that door down and pick one up, and hopefully we can do that this weekend.

Q. Talk about how the team came about and how much you're enjoying playing with each other.

ANDREW NOVAK: Yeah, we talked about it for a few years but things just -- we ended up playing with different people, whatever. We play a lot of golf back at home in Sea Island and always play well when we're playing together. We knew it was something if we did play well together, it would probably go well, and this year it finally happened.

BEN GRIFFIN: Yeah, we've known each other forever, so I think that aspect of it -- we saw Isaiah and Kevin kind of talk about that. At least I saw an interview where they talked about their friendship and how important that is out here, and I think there's no doubt that definitely can save you some shots and make you more comfortable.

We both know each other's games really well and we've played a ton of golf together, so it was only a matter of time to team up here, and glad we did it.