Even though it happened on a different circuit and course, Alvaro Ortiz is back in the running to win his home national open.
With a second-round 64 on Friday, Ortiz , who won the 2021 Mexico Open when it was a PGA TOUR Latinoamérica event moved into a tie for the lead in the current Mexico Open at Vidanta. For the first time in his 11 PGA TOUR outings, Ortiz did not place in the top five in any round.
“As I play more, I feel more at ease and begin to see that I have the game,” stated Ortiz, who is participating this week without a sponsor.
The Mexican, 28, finished in 31 after recording 5 birdies in his first 9 holes. On the back nine, he carded a bogey-free 7-under 64 thanks to eight pars and an eagle. He is tied for the lead at 11-under with Matt Wallace and Sami Valimaki.
Since his amateur days, Ortiz has demonstrated his brilliance. Having finished in the top three in each of his five tries at the event, he won the 2019 Latin America Amateur Championship. After Victor Regalado’s 1979 participation, he became the first Mexican to compete in the Masters. He went on to make the cut and finish one shot behind low amateur Viktor Hovland.
Although Ortiz did not fare well on the higher circuit in 2022, his victory in 2021 on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica helped him secure a spot on the Korn Ferry Tour. He lost his card because he didn’t place in the top 100. However, he carried on playing well everywhere, winning twice in 2023 on the Mexican circuit. He kept up his good play last autumn, earning a spot in the Final Stage of Q-School and a chance to rejoin the Korn Ferry Tour.
This weekend represents maybe the most significant two rounds of his nascent career, as he could level up once again.
If Ortiz were to accept membership after winning, his perks would be the same as those of any other winner. A two-year exemption on the PGA TOUR, invitations to THE PLAYERS Championship, the Masters, and the PGA Championship, as well as exemptions into the remaining five Signature Events, are some of these advantages.
With 500 FedExCup points, Ortiz would appear in the FedExCup standings. After Rory McIlroy’s U.S. Open victory, Darren Clarke’s Open Championship victory, and the first season with multiple sponsor exemption wins in at least 30 years, this would be the first season with multiple wins by non-members since 2011.
Ortiz would qualify for Special Temporary Membership for the 2024 PGA TOUR season with a solitary second-place performance. Ortiz may have limitless sponsor exemptions for the season if he agreed to become a member. Ortiz would become a member for 2025 if, at the end of the FedExCup Fall, he had more non-member FedExCup points than No. 125 in the FedExCup standings.
Ortiz would qualify for next week’s Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches with a top-10 result.
The fans of his hometown will be rooting for Ortiz. Growing up, he travelled around five hours by car from Vidanta Vallarta to Guadalajara, Mexico. Since the tournament joined the PGA TOUR, he has attended it twice.
“Having my friends, family, and people around me is amazing. Since we don’t get to play often in Mexico, it’s great to be here, to be performing well, and to have their support. With 36 holes remaining, there’s still plenty of golf to be played and anything can happen. Right now, I need to concentrate, practise well, rest, and prepare for tomorrow.” Ortiz said.
