Ortiz shows his class as stars of The International Series shine in Houston

LIV Golf Houston turned out to be a happy hunting ground for a number of regulars on The International Series, as current rankings leader Carlos Ortiz underlined his talent with his second tournament victory of the season.

The Torque GC player, who cruised to victory in the International Series Oman in February, finished with a 15-under score for a one-shot victory over Polish star Adrian Meronk of Cleeks GC, for his first win on the LIV Golf League.

Ortiz said: “I have been playing really well, I feel like I have played good enough this year. I just have not put three rounds together. I just know when I am doing the things the right way that this was going to happen.

“It was a matter of time. I feel like I have been playing pretty decent and I think my form has been good for a while now,” added the Mexican 33-year-old.

Last year’s International Series Singapore champion, David Puig, currently third in the rankings, finished T3 alongside Patrick Reed, who was one shot further back. Sergio Garcia, who played in the International Series Macau presented by Wynn, was two shots back in fifth place, ahead of Anirban Lahiri, Graeme McDowell, and Lucas Herbert, all of whom have experience on the Series.

The Golf Club of Houston tournament also provided playing opportunities for three winners on The International Series.
John Catlin, winner of International Series Macau presented by Wynn after beating Puig in a play-off in March, made his LIV Golf League debut as replacement for the injured Crushers GC star Charles Howell III. The American, currently second on the International Series Rankings and first on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, impressed with a T24 finish overall on four under.

Last season’s Hong Kong Open champion Ben Campbell filled in for Legion XIII captain Jon Rahm in the final round after the Spaniard picked up a foot injury, and the New Zealander impressed with a five-under round of 67.

Wade Ormsby, the 2023 International Series Vietnam champion, also got a taste of the action as he stepped in for Stingers GC captain Louis Oosthuizen and finished level par after two rounds.

Campbell and Ormsby have been travelling with the LIV Golf League as alternates this season. Campbell said: “It is quite an interesting process to be here and to learn the setup of some of the players. I have taken a couple of really valuable takeaways from it.

“Golf is a funny game, just seeing some of the best players in the world and what they are doing and how they are training, playing with them on practice rounds can give you little things that you can take and put into your own game.”

The International Series is a set of 10 enhanced events sanctioned by the Asian Tour that provides a direct pathway to players from all over the world onto the LIV Golf League, with the rankings leader getting an automatic place on the roster, and over 30 other players gaining entry to the LIV Golf Promotions event.

Last season, Finland’s Kalle Samooja, Kieran Vincent of Zimbabwe and Japanese golfer Jinichiro Kozuma won their way onto the roster through the Promotions event, with International Series Rankings champion Andy Ogletree securing the automatic place.

While the pathway provides a life-changing opportunity for those who make it onto the LIV Golf League, it has also helped players on the roster to enjoy invaluable game time in elite-level tournaments and earn rankings points on Asian Tour events.
Players such as Catlin, Campbell and Ormsby have also seen the benefit, gaining invaluable experience as LIV Golf League alternates.

The next date on the calendar is International Series Morocco, taking place at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam Red Course in Rabat from 4-7 July, the week before LIV Golf Andalucia at the Real Club Valderrama in Sotogrande, Spain.