The PGA Tour doesn’t stage occasions in Mexico typically, so Alvaro Oritz is taking full benefit of his alternative at this week’s Mexico Open at Vidanta.
And he’s having enjoyable doing so—as a sponsor’s exemption, no much less.
Ortiz, who hails from Guadalajara, Mexico, shot up the leaderboard Friday, due to his splendid 7-under 64. He made 5 birdies on the again facet—his opening 9—and made a terrific 30-footer for eagle on the par-5 sixth.
He now holds a share of the lead at 11-under with Matt Wallace of England and Finland’s Sami Valimaki on the halfway level.
“It’s superior to have my household, to have my mates, to have my folks. We don’t get to play a lot in Mexico, so it’s fairly cool to be out right here, to be enjoying properly and really feel the assist from them,” Ortiz mentioned after Friday’s second spherical.
“It’s extra enjoyable, it’s extra enjoyable [playing in Mexico]. I don’t get to try this typically. Like many individuals, the yelling, it’s enjoyable. I don’t get that a lot within the States, however it’s fairly cool to see how many individuals are coming, and hopefully, it is going to be packed this weekend.”
Ought to Ortiz stay in competition all through the weekend, the galleries at Vidanta Vallarta will flock to the 28-year-old Mexican.
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Photograph by Hector Vivas/Getty Photographs
It should come right down to his putter, and if it may well stay sizzling. Proper now, Ortiz ranks third within the area in strokes gained placing. However he has given himself loads of alternatives, too.
“I believe undoubtedly the ball-striking, it was very stable from tee to inexperienced,” Ortiz mentioned when requested what went properly for him on Friday.
“I truly putted very properly [too]. I didn’t make as many putts as yesterday, however I undoubtedly really feel very stable on the market. Simply very comfy. I’ve been working actually onerous on my swing this previous yr, and it’s good to see the onerous work paying off.”
After lacking the minimize on the Mexico Open final yr, Ortiz spent his 2023 season totally on the Mexican skilled golf circuit and the PGA Tour Latinoamerica.
He then made it to the ultimate levels of Q-College, the place he tied for twenty first, thus incomes a Korn Ferry Tour card for the 2024 season. The highest 40 finishers—outdoors of the highest 5—earned enjoying privileges on the Korn Ferry Tour this season.
“I believe I closed very sturdy on the Latin America season after which performed very properly within the Mexican Tour, and that carried over, that momentum, to Q-College,” Ortiz mentioned.
“Been enjoying rather well. Simply excited to get this chance. Very grateful to Grupo Salinas and Vidanta, they make this occur. They invited me again, so joyful to be within the weekend.”
Ought to Ortiz go on to win, he would obtain an invite to Augusta Nationwide.
That will be fairly particular, contemplating he competed in The Masters in 2019 as an novice after profitable the Latin America Beginner Championship. Ortiz completed one stroke behind Viktor Hovland that yr; in any other case, he would have been low-amateur.
Nonetheless, Ortiz feels assured in his sport, and rightfully so. He has the expertise to succeed on the highest ranges, identical to his brother Carlos.
“[Everything] was fairly stable. From tee to inexperienced, it was pretty much as good because it could possibly be,” Ortiz mentioned.
“I hit the ball very properly and simply felt very comfy on the market. It was very clear, very stress-free… Completely happy to be within the place I’m in.”
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying Via. You’ll want to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as properly.