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How a Playoff Heartbreak Sparked a Zurich Classic Comeback (Plus: 30-Yard Gain Hack Inside)
From wild weather delays to a game-changing swing tip-catch the Zurich Classic drama, trivia, and tips to add yards to your drive.
Happy Valley Golf Team
April 28, 2025
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Good morning. This is your Happy Valley Golf Team newsletter. Let’s get it!
Here’s what we’ve got for you today:
The inside story on Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin’s underdog victory at the 2025 Zurich Classic, including key stats and clutch moments.
Must-watch: See how swinging slower instantly added 30 yards-yes, really-to one golfer’s drive.
This week’s golf trivia challenge: we are talking about your favourite LIV golfer
Quick hits: Prize money breakdowns, betting scandals, LIV Golf updates, and Rory McIlroy’s latest headline.
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Golf Trivia
At which major championship did Phil Mickelson become the oldest major winner in golf history? |
PERSISTENCE PAYS: How Losing Led to Winning at the 2025 Zurich Classic
They say second place is just the first loser, but Andrew Novak would beg to differ.
Just one week after heartbreak in a playoff loss to Justin Thomas at the RBC Heritage, Novak teamed up with Ben Griffin to capture the 2025 Zurich Classic with a winning score of 28-under par18. Talk about a bounce-back.
The victory at TPC Louisiana marks the first PGA Tour win for both players after a combined 190 starts1. Persistence, thy name is professional golf.
Key storylines you should know:
Playoff to payoff: Novak became the first player since Patrick Cantlay in 2022 to lose in a playoff one week and win the following week1, proving that short-term memory is golf's most underrated skill.
Weather drama: Sunday's final round featured a 90+ minute weather delay that tested everyone's nerves87. Nothing says "professional sports" like waiting around in a clubhouse watching The Weather Channel.
Clutch gene activated: Griffin drained a 34-foot birdie putt on the treacherous par-3 17th hole that essentially sealed the deal89. That's the golf equivalent of hitting a buzzer-beater with your eyes closed.
Twins fall short: Danish identical twins Nicolai and Rasmus Højgaard finished second at 27-under89, missing their chance to become the first identical twins to win on the PGA Tour (and confuse trophy engravers everywhere).
Defending champs fizzle: Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, fresh off Rory's career grand slam completion at the Masters, couldn't repeat their 2024 magic, finishing T12 at 22-under.
By the numbers:
Why it matters: The Zurich Classic remains the PGA Tour's only regular-season team event, offering a refreshing change from the typical 72-hole strokeplay format11. More importantly, it proves that in golf-like in startup life-persistence through failure is often the secret ingredient to success.
Next up on tour: The CJ Cup at TPC Craig Ranch in Texas14, where players return to the lonely grind of individual competition.
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Thanks for reading!
Enjoy the rest of your week,
Cody.