Carlos Ortiz Claims Houston Title

Carlos Ortiz Claims Houston Title

Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz overcame World Number one Dustin Johnson and Hideki Matsuyama by two shots to claim the Houston Open title.

The 29-year-old shot a final round 65 to claim victory after some scintillating golf that saw a new course record set by three separate players, including Matsuyama.

Esta va por Mexico ??????
Gracias @edocgv por pelear conmigo hasta el final, a mis sponsors que han estado en las buenas y en las malas y a todo mi equipo de trabajo que este triunfo es parte de ellos ? pic.twitter.com/hJOId6DQOK

— Carlos Ortiz (@carlosortizGolf) November 9, 2020

Final Round Overview

Ortiz started the day one shot behind overnight leader Sam Burns whose lead was slowly evaporating after a number of players started brightly.

Among them were current Open Champion Shane Lowry and four-time Major winner Brooks Koepka, with four birdies in a row putting Lowry one off the lead after five holes and Koepka moving into contention with three birdies in his first six.

Johnson also started positively with a huge birdie putt at the second followed by another birdie at the third to take a share of the lead.

Burns regained his advantage with a birdie at the third, but a double-bogey six at the fourth hole saw him slip back, while Jason Day, who started the day a shot off the lead, also faltered with a two-over front nine.

Ortiz made birdie at the fourth, to nudge ahead, but was soon joined at the top by Johnson, with Koepka – five under for his front nine – not far behind.

Ortiz opened up a two-shot advantage with back-to-back birdies to finish his front nine, while Koepka narrowly missed a birdie putt at 12.

After his bright start, Lowry was soon struggling, as bogeys on the 10^th and 11^th dented the Irishman’s chances of the title.

Starting his back nine with six consecutive pars, Ortiz was soon challenged again by Johnson who had just holed a sixty-foot-putt for birdie on the 11^th.

Japanese star Matsuyama was also now joining the fray with back-to-back birdies on the 12^th and 13^th.

Ortiz missed a fantastic chance at eagle on the 16^th, but tapped in from close range to move back in front just as Matsuyama recorded another birdie to go 11-under par.

Both Johnson and Matsuyama both had chances to move to 12-under on the 18^th but couldn’t convert as Ortiz started his final hole of the day.

Knowing a par was good enough for victory, Ortiz decided to go one better, holing a twisting 20-foot-putt for birdie and achieving a two-shot winning margin.

The victory was the biggest to date for the Mexican and has secured an invitation for the Masters in 2021.

Notable Performances

World Number one Dustin Johnson will be happy with his tournament as he psyches himself up for the Masters next week. The American shot three consecutive rounds in the 60’s and will be one of the favourites for next week at Augusta.

Matsuyama will also be happy with his preparation for next week. The 28-year-old finished T2 alongside Johnson and, in the process, shot a course record of 63 on Sunday.

Talor Gooch had one of his best finishes on the PGA Tour to date, after tying the course record with Matsuyama. The American had four birdies in the last six holes to claim a T4 finish.

Brooks Koepka enjoyed a return to form. The American has spent the majority of the year sidelined with injury, but a T5 finish will give him confidence going into next week’s Masters.

England’s Tyrrell Hatton is one of the in-form players in the world right now. The 29-year-old sealed his third Top 10 in only four starts on Sunday.

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