Cleeks GC, once the last club in LIV Golf’s young history without a trophy, has finally ended its drought. During this week’s thrilling LIV Golf Houston event,
Captain Martin Kaymer’s team triumphed with a dazzling three-day total of 33 under par, clinching the team title at the Golf Club of Houston by two strokes over Smash GC and Fireballs GC.
For those following LIV Golf’s evolution, this victory in the 30th tournament since inception marks a pivotal moment.
The Cleeks, who came tantalizingly close in Singapore, finally tasted victory. “This is why we signed up for LIV, to play for the team,” declared Kaymer.
“The individual is great, but to celebrate together and to do that together, this is why we came here, and this is why LIV exists, to have that team competition.”
Carlos Ortiz Clinches Houston Individual Title
Torque GC’s Carlos Ortiz, known for his four team victories, finally secured his first individual LIV Golf title.
Ortiz shot a final-round 5-under 67, finishing at 15 under, just one stroke ahead of the Cleeks’ Adrian Meronk. Houston-area resident Patrick Reed (4Aces GC) and David Puig (Fireballs GC) tied for third at 13 under.
Ortiz, who won the Houston Open in 2020, expressed his fondness for playing in Texas.
“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.”
The Final Duel: Ortiz vs. Meronk
Ortiz and Meronk battled fiercely during the back nine. Tied at the par-4 15th, Ortiz’s birdie and Meronk’s bogey created a pivotal two-stroke swing.
Ortiz bogeyed the 18th, but Meronk’s birdie attempt slipped past, sealing Ortiz’s victory.
“He played unbelievable, and he put pressure all the way to the end,” Ortiz said of Meronk.
“It was a good battle.” Meronk echoed the sentiment, stating, “He really deserved it. I hope I can get him next time.”
Cleeks GC’s Team Effort
Cleeks GC started the final round five shots behind but caught fire in the last nine holes.
Kaymer birdied five of six holes, Kalle Samooja birdied three of five, and Meronk birdied three consecutive holes.
Richard Bland’s crucial birdie on his final hole, the par-4 11th, secured their two-stroke victory.
“I gave myself such a talking-to on the 11th, and I said, you’d better birdie this hole,” Bland recalled. “Fortunately, I hit a great wedge shot to two feet and knocked it in.”
The Celebration
With champagne bottles popping, the Cleeks celebrated their long-awaited triumph.
“When you see other guys lifting trophies, of course, that’s what you want to do,” Bland said.
“It’s easy to see that we were going in the right direction. We were. Today we were able to pull it off. What a great feeling. It’s very, very special.”
The Cleeks GC’s first team title and Carlos Ortiz’s individual victory in LIV Golf Houston are testament to the spirit and competitiveness of LIV Golf, promising more thrilling moments to come.
ROUND 3 STATS LEADERS
Driving accuracy: Sergio Garcia, Brooks Koepka, Henrik Stenson, Richard Bland, Abraham Ancer, 85.71% (12 of 14 fairways hit)
Driving distance: Joaquin Niemann, 340.0 yards avg.
Longest drive: Mito Pereira, 361.5 yards, 13th hole
Greens in regulation: Carlos Ortiz, Brooks Koepka, 94.44% (17 of 18 greens)
Scrambling: Talor Gooch (5 of 5), Graeme McDowell (4 of 4), Mito Pereira (3 of 3), Brooks Koepka (1 of 1), 100%
Putting: Talor Gooch, Ben Campbell, 1.39 putts per hole
Bogey-free rounds: Talor Gooch (66), Graeme McDowell (69)
