A specific stretch of the schedule typically focused on those seeking to secure PGA Tour playing rights, the autumn portion of the FedEx Cup has transformed into a unique landscape for those with the financial stability to navigate it. Devoid of the urgency to perform for employment stability, competitors such as Scottie Scheffler at the Procore Championship, Xander Schauffele at the Baycurrent Classic, and Ben Griffin at the World Wide Technology Championship have capitalized on this circumstance.
Now, after 36 holes in the season-concluding RSM Classic, the golfer who embodies this scenario appears to be Andrew Novak, following an initial 61 on the Seaside Course with an impressive 65 on the Plantation Course, placing him at 16 under as he heads into the third round.
“That presents a significant advantage this week,” Novak commented. “My wife and I welcomed a baby two weeks ago. I’m simply here to escape the house and enjoy the experience, while other players are vying for their professional futures. It gives me a considerable edge this week. I have less at stake. While I certainly aspire to win, given it’s a local tournament, I’m extra motivated to perform well. However, for some, their entire season hinges on this week.”
Novak is well-acquainted with the area, residing in Sea Island with his family, and has experience under pressure in the FedEx Cup Fall. In 2023, Novak nearly missed the cut at his home tournament but managed to secure a crucial bogey on his 36th hole to advance to the weekend and preserve his full-time status.
“It was a stressful situation. I believe they recorded it,” Novak recalled. “I just needed to make the cut to retain my card, and I initially felt secure. However, my ball struck a tree on the final hole, requiring me to return. I managed to birdie my second attempt, barely making the cut. It was perhaps the most anxious I’ve felt on a golf course. My entire year depended on that hole. Therefore, I understand the pressure that many players are facing this week, and I feel fortunate not to share that burden while competing.”
Novak leveraged that situation into his most successful season to date in 2024, and he raised his performance even further in 2025, transitioning from an average PGA Tour player to ranking as high as No. 30 in the world. Novak earned his first-ever qualification for the Tour Championship, meaning he will debut next April at the Masters Tournament.
During his rise, he came close to victory on multiple occasions — notably at the Farmers Insurance Open, Texas Open, and RBC Heritage — and, commendably, Novak remained diligent despite these near misses. Alongside Griffin, he finally achieved his first PGA Tour victory at the Zurich Classic.
Now, he is pursuing another trophy with the chance to secure his first individual victory, even if the favorable scoring conditions at Sea Island are not his preferred circumstances.
“Typically, I perform better on more demanding courses,” Novak explained. “My strength lies in my short game, yet I might have only chipped the ball three times throughout the entire week. It’s quite minimal. I believe one advantage is simply familiarity with the course, knowing how it plays and where to position myself on each hole. I’m capitalizing on this knowledge and making numerous putts.”
Novak demonstrates clear advantages over his competitors within the top 10 on the leaderboard. While quantifiable through data and statistics, the intangible aspects are particularly significant at this stage of the season.
Everyone else on the top of the leaderboard is positioned precariously — needing to finish in the Aon Next 10 to qualify for the initial signature events of 2026, the top 100 to retain full PGA Tour cards, or surpass various cut-off points for conditional status. They are all focused on ensuring they achieve just enough to surpass these benchmarks. Conversely, without the weight of potential setbacks, Novak is performing exceptionally well, directing his attention elsewhere: towards progress.
