Mexico Open 2026: Andrew Novak Shoots Record-Equalling 61 to Lead by Three at Vidanta Vallarta

Andrew Novak leads the VidantaWorld Mexico Open by three shots at the halfway stage. The American shot a 10-under-par 61 at Vidanta Vallarta on Friday 30 October, which equals the tournament's 18-hole record. He is on 14 under par (128), ahead of a five-man group on 11 under that includes 20-year-old amateur Kihei Akina. The third round of the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup Fall event is on Saturday and the final round on Sunday 1 November.

Novak's 61 and the old putter

Novak opened with a 67 and was in the pack before Friday. His second round included a 12-foot eagle putt on the drivable par-4 13th and three birdies over his last four holes. The 61 matches his lowest score on the PGA Tour, first set at the 2025 RSM Classic.

According to Athlon Sports, the round came with a putter he had put away. After months of trying other putters with little success, he went back to an old, rusted one. "It's rusted out, it's old, but I know it works," he said. After 36 holes he led the field in strokes gained: putting.

Novak's only PGA Tour win came in a team event, the 2025 Zurich Classic of New Orleans with Ben Griffin. This is his second 36-hole lead on Tour. He started the week 89th in the FedEx Cup Fall standings.

A crowded chase, including an amateur

Five players are tied second on 11 under (131):

• Matthieu Pavon (65-66)
• Kihei Akina, amateur (67-64)
• Adrien Dumont de Chassart (64-67)
• Ben Griffin (64-67)
• Kensei Hirata (63-68)

Hirata, from Japan, was the only player without a bogey through 36 holes. Mackenzie Hughes, Max Greyserman, Gordon Sargent and Marco Penge are one further back on 10 under.

Akina is a BYU sophomore playing on a sponsor exemption. According to the PGA Tour, making the cut earned him a 12th point in the PGA Tour University Accelerated programme. He needs 20 points to earn a Tour card directly. A top-10 finish would give him another point and a place in next week's World Wide Technology Championship. A win would give him Tour status straight away, as Nick Dunlap's victory as an amateur at the 2024 American Express did for him. Akina has made the cut in all five of his PGA Tour starts in 2026.

Who missed out

The cut fell at 4 under par. Tony Finau missed it by one shot after a 71, and Wyndham Clark is also out after a second-round 73. Karl Vilips opened with a 62 to lead on Thursday but shot 74 on Friday and is tied 34th, eight shots behind. Billy Horschel withdrew.

Alvaro Ortiz was the only one of six Mexican players to make the weekend and is tied 11th on 9 under. Defending champion Brian Campbell is tied 26th on 7 under.

Weekend timing for Malaysian viewers

The Vidanta Vallarta resort area keeps Central Standard Time (UTC-6), 14 hours behind Malaysia. Morning starts on Saturday and Sunday local time therefore fall in the late evening in Malaysia, and the final groups finish in the early hours of the next morning. The champion is likely to be known early on Monday 2 November, Malaysia time. The purse is US$6 million.

Key takeaways

• Andrew Novak leads on 14 under after a 61 that equals the Mexico Open 18-hole record.
• Five players share second on 11 under, including amateur Kihei Akina and Japan's Kensei Hirata.
• Akina could earn a direct PGA Tour card with a win, through the PGA Tour University Accelerated pathway.
• Tony Finau and Wyndham Clark missed the 4-under cut, and first-round leader Karl Vilips fell back with a 74.
• The final round is on Sunday 1 November local time, which is Sunday night into Monday morning in Malaysia.

FAQ

Q: Has Andrew Novak won on the PGA Tour before? A: Yes, once. He won the 2025 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a team event, with Ben Griffin, who is also tied second this week.

Q: Can amateur Kihei Akina keep the prize money if he wins? A: As an amateur he cannot take prize money. The PGA Tour notes that a win would give him PGA Tour membership straight away through the Accelerated pathway.

Q: Where is the Mexico Open played? A: At Vidanta Vallarta, near Puerto Vallarta on Mexico's Pacific coast. It is part of the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup Fall series.

Sources: PGA Tour, Golf Today, Athlon Sports