Carlos Ortiz reveals LIV Golf players were told they would “definitely” get world ranking points.
Carlos Ortiz has disclosed that when he initially joined the Saudi-backed circuit LIV Golf in 2022, players were assured that they would unquestionably receive Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.
During his appearance on the GOLF Subpar podcast hosted by Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz, Ortiz expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of information regarding OWGR points in the LIV Golf League of 2024. Despite being 32 years old, he feels frustrated and uninformed about this matter.
LIV Golf officially applied to qualify for OWGR points, but after 18 months, the OWGR ultimately decided to deny their eligibility.
OWGR chairman Peter Dawson confirmed the decision last October, citing the shortage of player opportunities both within and outside of the LIV Golf League, along with the repetitive nature of the tournaments.
“It was definitely said that we were going to get them [OWGR points], but we haven’t got them. “I understand that we went out of the system and it’s going to take time to get back or to be part of the system, but I also think that if the world ranking was to be accurate they have to include all kinds of players you know? “I’m not saying we should have got them from the beginning, I know there are some certain rules, and I knew from the beginning there were some consequences and the setbacks we could have had, and I accept them. I just obviously wish we could change them and find a way that we could be part of… I feel like it’s getting to that point but like we could be part of that ecosystem where we can ranked and compete freely, not only in the majors against the other players. “I just think there is a way and there’s definitely enough proof that we have a legitimate tour where there’s good players and we should get ranked. At the end of the day, the things about why we’re not getting our world ranking too is because you need to prove certain years or certain time that you have a legitimate tour. I think it’s already given that we have a legitimate tour you know.”
Ortiz has yet to win on the LIV Golf League but he came closest last season when being defeated in a three-man playoff by eventual winner Danny Lee at LIV Golf Tucson.
The Mexican had been playing for Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC for the first two years but he was traded to Joaquin Niemann’s Torque GC for the 2024 season.
Ortiz won his sole PGA Tour title at the 2020 Houston Open.
Last week, Niemann had a strong start to his season by winning against his former mentor Garcia in a playoff at LIV Golf Mayakoba.
Torque GC achieved a third-place position in the team competition, whereas Ortiz had a disappointing T43 finish in the individual tournament, scoring 4-over par.
Ortiz aims to recover at this week’s LIV Golf Las Vegas, which begins later today and ends on Saturday due to the Super Bowl being held in Vegas on Sunday night.
