Carlos Ortiz’s victory highlights LIV Golf’s ongoing battle for recognition
Carlos Ortiz capitalizes on rare opportunity for ranking points.
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Carlos Ortiz ( Image via Golf Digest )
Carlos Ortiz, who is associated with the LIV Golf alternative tour, recently capitalized on a unique opportunity to gain world ranking points by triumphing in a tournament held in his home country of Mexico during the past weekend.
The Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) board and the renegade circuit, which is supported by Saudi Arabia, have been at odds over recognition and the right to issue ranking points. Because of this, a lot of LIV players have been looking for possibilities on tours like Gira De Golf Professional Mexicana (GGPM), which was just acknowledged by OWGR.
The quest for LIV Golf to obtain official ranking point status has emerged as a significant focal point for the tour’s strategy of challenging the traditional professional golf establishment. This issue has led to mounting discontent among the LIV Golf community, led by the outspoken Greg Norman, many LIV Golf players are now facing limitations in their ability to qualify for major tournaments due to a lack of essential access.
According to reports, LIV Golf is contemplating the possibility of moving away from the conventional ranking system and adopting a less established structure. Despite the challenges He experienced, Carlos Ortiz was able to take use of the chance presented by the GGPM tour.
LIV Golf, a nascent tour with a 54-hole cut, was founded in 2017 and gained eligibility ranking points in 2022. Ortiz, who previously triumphed Houston Open on the U.S. circuit 2020, won his first tournament since then in his homeland of Mexico over the past weekend. He garnered 1.8 points for his victory and climbed 11 spots in the rankings, rising from 275th to 264th.
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Kurt Kitayama claims his first PGA Tour title
The Arnold Palmer Invitational, a prestigious tournament held at Bay Hill, witnessed an unexpected triumph by Kurt Kitayama, who outplayed a field of renowned major champions such as Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Jordan Spieth. As a result of his victory, Kitayama accumulated more than 67 ranking points, enabling him to soar from 46th to 19th in the rankings.
Kitayama’s success at a recognised PGA Tour event, in contrast to Ortiz’s unheralded triumph, highlights the sharp gap between the established tour and the fledgling LIV. Despite the hurdles confronting the insurgent circuit, competitors like Ortiz can still capitalize on chances to improve their rankings.
To summarise, Carlos Ortiz’s triumph on the GGPM circuit demonstrates the difficulties that the LIV Golf rebel tour has encountered in its fight for recognition and the authority to award ranking points.
There is rising resentment within the circuit at the OWGR board’s persistent rejection, even while the company is still looking for options elsewhere, such as the DP World Tour and the Asian Tour. Conversely, athletes like Ortiz are still able to despite these challenges, they succeed and show off their talent.
In case you missed it:
Kurt Kitayama wins Arnold Palmer Invitational, but Jordan Spieth steals the spotlight
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Rohit Jambhulkar
(1239 Articles Published)