Carlos Ortiz wins the Houston event

Mexican Carlos Ortiz won in Houston for the second time as a professional on Sunday, winning his first victory on the LIV Golf Tour.

Ortiz, who won the PGA Tour’s Houston Open in 2020 at Memorial Park, won by one stroke over Adrian Meronk on Sunday at The Golf Club of Houston.

“I love playing here,” Ortiz said. “Obviously, Texas treats me well. This is my adopted state. I’m just happy to start again in Houston.

Ortiz and Meronk started the day in a four-way tie for the lead with David Puig and Paul Casey. Ortiz shot a 5-under 67 for a three-day total of 15 under. Ortiz birdied the 15th, while Meronk made a bogey to create a two-shot lead.

“Honestly, it was just a matter of playing solid the rest of the way.” Ortiz said. “I think there was a change there on 15 that I made a birdie, he made a bogey, and I just knew I had to make about par, and it was mine . That’s what I was trying to do.

Ortiz, who began his day with breathing exercises on the first tee, was finally able to exhale after his final putt at the 18th for bogey, which sealed the victory.

After being doused in champagne by his Torque GC teammates, Ortiz, 33, opened his arms in celebration as the sky, which had threatened to rain all day, provided a light sprinkling.

While several players will be heading to the US Open next week, that’s not the case for Ortiz. He missed qualifying for the event last week.

“It’s a shame we doubled the last hole to miss qualifying,” Ortiz said. “It hurt a lot. But I think that with time we will get back to the major tournaments, because I know that I am one of the best players in the world right now and I deserve to be there. But the way things are going right now, it’s pretty difficult. I will do my best to compete in the British Open, and I also have the Summer Olympics, in addition to the LIV tournaments coming up.

Meronk had tied Ortiz for the lead with consecutive birdies at 11, 12 and 13 before his bogey at 15. Trailing by two going into the final hole, Meronk gave himself a slight chance when he reached the green in two and made a birdie putt. Ortiz had cleared the green and had to let it go after his ball landed against the wall of a spectator club.

But Ortiz made a nice chip and Meronk missed his birdie putt.

Ortiz said that as he installed his chip, he thought, “Don’t fragment it.” He did not do it.

“I worked on these chips,” he said. “It’s easy right now.”

Local favorite Patrick Reed is tied for third with Puig at 13 under after overcoming a bogey on his first hole to finish with a 68.

Cleeks GC, led by Poland’s Meronk, won the team title at 33 under. Martin Kaymer (Germany), Richard Bland (England) and Kalle Samooja (Finland) also contributed to the European team.

It was Cleeks’ first team title on the LIV circuit, which, in addition to an individual winner, also rewards teams of four.

The LIV Tour has six events remaining this season, including its championship in Dallas September 20-22. It happens to be Ortiz’s hometown.

“I guess Texas likes me,” Ortiz said. “And I like Texas back.”