Tag Archives: John Rahm

Carlos Ortiz Wins LIV Golf Houston

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Carlos Ortiz is LIVing the dream…

The 33-year-old Mexican professional golfer won LIV Golf Houston on Sunday for his first victory on the Saudi-funded league and second big win in the Houston area.

Carlos OrtizOrtiz closed with a 5-under 67 to beat Adrian Meronk by a stroke at the Golf Club of Houston.

Ortiz previously won the 2020 Houston Open at Memorial Park for his lone PGA Tour title.

“I love playing here,” Ortiz said. “Obviously, Texas treats me well. It’s my adopted home state. I’m just happy to get it done again in Houston.”

Part of a four-way tie for the lead entering the day, the 33-year-old Ortiz finished at 15-under 201.

“It means a lot,” Ortiz said. “I’ve been working really hard, as how you’ve said, I’ve come close a couple times.”

Meronk shot a 68 to help Cleeks GC win the team title. The German joined LIV Golf this year.

Area resident Patrick Reed had a 68 to tie for third at 12 under with Spain’s David Puig (69). Sergio Garcia was fifth at 11 under after a 68.

On Saturday, Jon Rahm withdrew after playing just six holes because of an infected left foot, leaving his status in doubt for the U.S. Open next week at Pinehurst No. 2.

Jon Rahm Wins PGA of America’s Points-Based Player of the Year Award

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Jon Rahm is celebrating a points-tastic honor…

 The 26-year-old Spanish professional golfer has won the points-based player of the year award from the PGA of America, and it was a birdie putt on the 18th hole at the Tour Championship in East Lake that made all the difference.

Jon Rahm

Rahm finished with 75 points, with Bryson DeChambeau coming in second at 70 points.

Rahm received 30 points for his U.S. Open title this summer, along with 20 points for leading the PGA Tour money list and 20 points for winning the Vardon Trophy for the lowest adjusted scoring average.

And although Rahm was runner-up to Patrick Cantlay in the Tour Championship, the PGA of America recognizes the actual score at East Lake. Cantlay started with a 2-shot lead at 10 under par because he was the No. 1 seed. Rahm started 4 shots behind as the No. 4 seed.

For the week, Rahm and Kevin Na finished at 14-under 266. That means they split the 10 points awarded for a regular PGA Tour win.

DeChambeau had 30 points for his U.S. Open win last September, 10 points for winning at Bay Hill, 14 points for being fourth in scoring average and 16 points for being third on the money list.

On the par-5 18th at the Tour Championship, Rahm hit a 5-iron that just ran through the back of the green. He needed to chip in to have any chance of forcing a playoff against Cantlay, who hit 6-iron to 12 feet. Rahm’s chip narrowly missed, leaving a short birdie putt.

That allowed him to tie Na at 14 under, giving him the five points that put him atop the points standing for the PGA of America award.

The PGA Tour award for player of the year is a vote of the membership. The ballot went out Tuesday and included Rahm, Cantlay, DeChambeau, Collin Morikawa and Harris English.

Justin Thomas won the PGA of America award last year, while Dustin Johnson was voted PGA Tour player of the year.

Rahm’s adjusted scoring average was 69.3. Johnson was second at 69.62.