Asian Tour Book 2024

“He (Ortiz) definitely turned the burners on, starting at the sixth hole. You need to do that if you want to win an event,” said 2010 Open Championship winner Oosthuizen, who signed off with a 69 to finish second, one stroke in front of Niemann. Niemann, captain of the LIV Golf League Torque GC team that Ortiz joined in 2024, said: “I knew I needed to play good today, but it was tricky with the wind. I didn’t think Carlos was going to go that low. I gave myself a lot of chances on Carlos Ortiz [far left] and with Joaquin Niemann and Mito Pereira [left] were three of eight LIV Golf players in the top 13. the back nine, but I didn’t make birdies. I fought hard, and it was a lot of fun.” But the week belonged conclusively to Ortiz, only the third Mexican to register a win on the Asian Tour. Carlos Espinosa was the first at the 1995 Canlubang Classic in the Philippines. There was then a 28-year wait before Abraham Ancer triumphed at the star- studded 2023 season-opening PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers. Reflecting on his win, Ortiz said: “I hope this is the start of a great year. I would like to play in Majors this year and win on the LIV Golf League.” Although he would not be presented with the chance to showcase his talents on the Major stages in 2024, Ortiz did pull off a victory in the LIV Golf League, eking out a one-stroke win in Houston in June. That was the eighth triumph of an outstanding professional career during which he’s spent more than 80 weeks in the world’s top 100, with a highest ranking of 44th. In Oman, no fewer than eight LIV Golf players finished in the top-13. Chilean Mito Pereira, a Torque GC team-mate of Niemann and Ortiz, led the way after 36 holes before eventually finishing in a share of fourth place, followed by Americans Peter Uihlein and Matthew Wolff, Australian Lucas Herbert and Spaniard David Puig. Having won the Asian Tour’s season- opening IRS Prima Malaysian Open the previous week, Puig raced out of the starting blocks in Oman with a 65 to set the early pace. A 75 on day two took the wind out of his sails but he recovered well to share 10th place. One shot in front of him in equal seventh was Japan’s Takumi Kanaya, who put up a stout title defence. Having been voted by Asian Tour players as the joint best course in 2023 – along with the Hong Kong Golf Club – the Al Mouj Golf layout once again met with widespread approval from participants. “I love the golf course. I’m definitely coming back here,” said Oosthuizen. Niemann added: “It’s a good course, I like playing here. You have to hit different shots off the tee and to the green you must be a little creative with the wind. It’s fun.” Sure enough, the stunning venue was once again selected at the best course in 2024 – only this time it was the outright winner. 39 I N T ER NAT IONA L SER I E S OMA N A L MO U J GO L F F E B R UA RY 2 2 - 2 5 , 2 0 2 4 | P R I Z E MON E Y: U S $ 2 M I L L I ON