Carlos Ortiz Claims First LIV Golf Victory with Narrow Win Over Meronk in Houston

In Houston, Texas, Carlos Ortiz of Mexico clinched his maiden LIV Golf victory on Sunday, carding a five-under-par 67 to edge out Adrian Meronk of Poland by a single stroke. Ortiz concluded the 54-hole tournament with a total score of 15-under 201, marking a memorable triumph in the same city where he secured his sole US PGA Tour title back in 2020.

Entering the final round at the Golf Club of Houston, Ortiz and Meronk found themselves locked in a four-way tie for the lead alongside Paul Casey of England and David Puig of Spain.

With just four holes remaining, Ortiz and Meronk remained deadlocked, but Ortiz seized the momentum with a crucial birdie on the par-five 15th, while Meronk faltered with a bogey.

Meronk’s impressive four-under round secured him the second spot on the leaderboard at 14-under, also contributing to his team’s victory for Cleeks GC.

Puig finished tied for third after carding a three-under round, alongside former Masters champion Patrick Reed, while Casey slipped down the rankings with a final round of one-over par.

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The tournament served as a valuable warm-up for LIV golfers ahead of the upcoming US Open at Pinehurst in North Carolina.

Notable performances included Brooks Koepka, a five-time major champion, who finished tied for ninth. However, former US Open winner Jon Rahm of Spain withdrew from the event during the second round due to a foot infection, opting to focus on his preparation for the upcoming major championship. Rahm, currently ranked seventh in the world, has faced challenges in this year’s majors, including a tied 44th finish at the Masters and a missed cut at the PGA Championship last month.

In summary, Ortiz’s triumph, alongside standout performances and withdrawals, added intrigue and excitement to the LIV Golf Houston event, serving as a prelude to the highly anticipated US Open.