Andrew Novak extended his lead to six strokes after three rounds of the VidantaWorld Mexico Open on Saturday in Vallarta, Mexico, maintaining a dominant position as he pursues his first individual PGA Tour victory. Novak posted a 9-under-par 62, following his course-record-tying 10-under 61 on Friday, reaching a cumulative 23-under 190 through 54 holes.
French golfer Matthieu Pavon remained in second place after shooting a 65, his second round of that score this week, moving to 17 under. Doug Ghim, with a 64 on Saturday, held sole possession of third place at 16 under. Meanwhile, Pierceson Coody (64), Max Greyserman (66), and Ben Griffin (67) were tied for fourth at 15 under.
Novak, 31, who teamed with Griffin last season to win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in a team event, delivered back-to-back sub-63 rounds—the second time in as many days he recorded a 5-under back nine. On Saturday, he rebounded from a bogey at the 12th hole the previous day by eagleing the par-5 12th. He drove 333 yards to the fairway’s edge, followed by a 277-yard approach shot to the green’s center, and sank a 20-foot putt. Novak also led the field in putting, having made a total of 128 feet, 5 inches worth of putts through three rounds.
“You want to back up a really low round with something low, but you don’t usually expect that,” Novak said. “You expect usually there’s going to be some give, and you’ve just got to be patient with it the next day. I still kind of came out firing today, was throwing some darts, making putts and trying to stay out of my own way.”
Pavon began the day with a bogey on the first hole, briefly falling five strokes behind Novak. He was 1 under through seven holes but electrified the round by driving the green on the 287-yard par-4 13th and converting a 46-foot eagle putt. Although he bogeyed the subsequent hole, Pavon regrouped with birdies on the final two holes, maintaining momentum and hope for a late charge.
“Yeah, it’s funny like birdieing the last two, like strongest holes on the course, it’s just when you expect it the less, sometimes it comes the most,” Pavon said. “It was just like good shots, just really focusing on every shot, trying to be at the right place on the greens and on the fairway, and ended up with making two nice putts. That’s just very nice momentum and very positive stuff for tomorrow.”
Doug Ghim expressed confidence as he aims to secure a place within the Top 60 in the season standings, which would grant him entry into the first two signature events of 2027. After his third-round 64, Ghim said, “It felt like I kind of put myself into locking up my card for next year and then kind of on the bubble again for the (top) 60. So just being able to quiet the outside noise and just go do what I know that I can do.”
Despite his commanding lead, Novak acknowledged the importance of maintaining focus over the final round. The course’s forgiving layout does not guarantee a victory, and he knows a strong finish is essential to secure his maiden individual PGA Tour title.