Coughlin and Novak Win Grant Thornton Invitational

Lauren Coughlin and Andrew Novak captured the Grant Thornton Invitational on Sunday at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida, firing a bogey-free 9-under 63 in the modified fourball format to secure a three-shot victory in the mixed-team event featuring PGA Tour and LPGA Tour players.

The duo entered the final round with a one-stroke lead and pulled away down the stretch, finishing at 28-under par 188 for the tournament's 54-hole total. Their score shattered the previous record of 189, set last year by Patty Tavatanakit and Jake Knapp. Coughlin and Novak each earned $500,000 from the $1 million winner's share, marking the largest career payday for Coughlin, a two-time LPGA Tour winner who posted five top-10 finishes in 22 starts this season.

The turning point came on the back nine, where Novak drained three consecutive birdies starting at the 13th hole, including a 7-footer there and 10-footers on 14 and 15. Playing in the group behind the leaders, challengers Jennifer Kupcho and Chris Gotterup faltered at the par-5 17th, missing the green and scrambling for par. Novak then converted a 6-foot birdie putt on that hole to extend the lead to two shots heading into the 18th, where...