Andrew Novak’s 2026 WITB: major gear breakdown revealed

Andrew Novak captured the 2026 VidantaWorld Mexico Open with a dominant 25-under par, sealing a five-shot victory that showcased a balanced, nearly neutral equipment setup built around a Srixon ball. The Mexico Open champion relied on precise iron play and standout putting to secure the win.

Andrew Novak WITB

Novak’s success in Mexico came from a combination of elite putting and accurate iron play. He led the field in Strokes Gained: Putting and in total feet of putts made, while his iron game finished runner-up in Strokes Gained: Approach. The combination produced a 25-under total and a five-shot margin of victory at the VidantaWorld Mexico Open.

Full bag breakdown from the 2026 VidantaWorld Mexico Open

Driver: Ping G440 LST (9° set to 7.5° [Big –]) — Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green 60TX (tipped 1″) | 45″ | Swingweight D4+ | CG Shifter neutral with 32g, 5g toe and 5g forward weighting.

3-Wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15° set to 14.75°, D4 swingweight, 58° lie) — Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Titan Black 80TX (tipped 1.5″) | 43″ EOG.

5-Wood: Ping G440 Max (19° set to 17.6° [Small –]) — Shaft: Project X HZRDUS RDX Green 85 6.5 (tipped 2″) | 43″ | Specs D3, neutral, 213g head weight.

Irons: Srixon ZXi5 (4) and ZXi7 (5–PW) — Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 | Specs: 1° upright | D3.

Wedges: Cleveland RTZ2 (50° mid) and Cleveland 588 (54°/60°) — Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 | Specs: 1° upright | D4.

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet BCT 58 Round (1 wrap).

Srixon Z-Star XV and ball strategy

Novak relies on the Srixon Z-Star XV as his preferred ball choice. The Mexico Open victory continues a notable pattern for Srixon: Novak and Ryan Fox won with the XV (Fox at The Open), while J.J. Spaun and Nico Echavarria have earned wins using the spin-forward Z-Star Diamond. Novak’s selection demonstrates how two Srixon profiles can coexist successfully on tour, depending on a player’s preference and the conditions.

Why Novak’s setup stood out

What stands out about Novak’s bag is its neutrality. The metal-wood lineup is straightforward and balanced rather than exotic—drivers and fairways played at slightly lower lofts, consistent shaft tipping, and modest swingweights. That restrained approach, combined with premium iron heads (ZXi5/ZXi7) and aggressive Tour Issue shafts, appears designed to minimize variables and keep ball flight and control in the player’s hands. Novak’s putting was the standout statistic this week, but his iron play—second in SG: Approach—helped him stay in contention and capitalize when the putter heated up.

Golf.com equipment director Johnny, who assembled Novak’s bag details, described the setup as “simple, clean, efficient” — a configuration that minimizes guesswork and maximizes repeatability.

Context and recent Srixon winners

The Mexico event underscored that while equipment is only one element of performance, the Srixon Z-Star XV has earned a place in several high-profile wins in 2026. Novak’s VidantaWorld Mexico Open victory follows Ryan Fox’s success at The Open with the XV, while J.J. Spaun and Nico Echavarria have used the Z-Star Diamond to win on tour this season. The results illustrate how different Srixon profiles can perform under varying conditions and formats.

For players and fitters, Novak’s setup emphasizes a neutral, well-fitted combination of metal woods and irons paired with a ball that aligns with a player’s spin and feel preferences.

What Happens Next

With the Mexico Open win, Novak heads into the PGA Tour season with renewed confidence and a reliable equipment package. His success may prompt other players to consider neutral, well-fit configurations during fittings, as the combination of a stable metal-wood setup and a ball like the Z-Star XV can contribute meaningfully to consistent performance.

For readers seeking the exact specs from Novak’s winning bag, the list above preserves the clubs, loft adjustments and shaft choices used at VidantaWorld, offering a practical reference for players exploring similar setups in 2026.

Source: Original report

Related: More Andrew Novak WITB coverage