Andrew Novak: From Childhood Inspiration to PGA Tour Contender

RALEIGH, N.C. — At age 3, Andrew Novak caught a golf ball tossed by Carl Pettersson during a collegiate event, sparking a lifelong passion for the sport. Now 29, Novak has risen from a teenage range assistant to a rising PGA Tour professional, recently achieving a career-best world ranking of 120th.

Growing up in Raleigh, Novak balanced academics and athletics at Academic Magnet High School before attending Wofford College, where he won four collegiate tournaments and even claimed the 2017 Wofford Intramural Basketball title. His journey to professional golf began with a breakthrough victory at the 2020 LECOM Suncoast Classic on the Korn Ferry Tour, which secured his PGA Tour card through the 2021 Korn Ferry Tour Finals.

Novak’s resilience was evident during the 2020-21 Korn Ferry Tour season, where he overcame seven missed cuts to achieve five consecutive top-10 finishes. His steady performance continued on the PGA Tour, highlighted by an eighth-place finish at the 2024 WM Phoenix Open, where he held the 36-hole lead. This marked the start of a strong run, including three consecutive top-10 finishes in spring 2024.

“Every challenge has shaped me,” Novak said. “From missing cuts to holding leads, it’s all part of the journey.”

With a 68.8% cut-making rate in the 2024 season and a runner-up finish at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, Novak’s trajectory suggests a maiden PGA Tour victory may be imminent. His exempt status through 2025 and 89th-place standing in the FedExCup rankings further solidify his position among golf’s elite.

Off the course, Novak’s personality shines through his diverse interests. A dedicated Atlanta Braves fan, he schedules practice rounds around important baseball games. His competitive spirit extends beyond golf, as evidenced by his 2016 appearance on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays for holing a 100-foot putt. Novak also maintains a superstition of using a lucky coin as a ball marker, a ritual dating back to his college days.

At home in St. Simons Island, Georgia, Novak and his wife Maddie enjoy downtime with their poodle Teddy, who has become a social media favorite among golf fans. Reflecting on his journey, Novak credits his parents, Ralph and Sarah, for nurturing his passion for golf from an early age.

As Novak continues to climb the ranks, his story serves as an inspiration to aspiring golfers. “It’s about perseverance and enjoying the process,” he said. “Every step, from the range to the Tour, has been worth it.”