Staff WriterCarlos Ortiz showcased his trademark cool under pressure at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn, outdueling Patrick Reed in a contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
With a crisp six-under-par 64, Ortiz not only claimed his second International Series and Asian Tour win but also etched his name further into the annals of golf history by finishing three strokes clear on 22-under.
It wasn’t just about the scorecard on a fine day at Macau Golf and Country Club—it was a masterclass in strategy and grit.
Fresh off his triumph in the International Series Oman last year, Ortiz joined forces with destiny on a course that rewarded bold play.
Sharing the early lead with Reed, he quickly set himself apart by posting birdies on the first, third, and eighth holes.
By the turn, he had established a two-shot advantage that only grew as the round unfolded.
The pivotal moment came on the par-five 12th hole. With a shot that would have made any caddie beam, Ortiz struck a brilliant fairway wood that landed just five feet from the pin, setting up an eagle putt that sent his lead soaring to three strokes over Reed and fellow American Jason Kokrak—who had also found the birdie magic on that very hole.
And while a clutch eight-footer for par on the par-three 14th further solidified his position, a missed five-footer for birdie on the next hole proved to be a minor hiccup in an otherwise flawless round.
A timely birdie on the 18th then added even more breathing room against a persistent Reed.
Reflecting on the day’s performance, Ortiz commented, “It was a good week,” said Ortiz, who plays for Torque GC on LIV Golf.
“I think I did a good job of putting the ball in play, that’s important on this golf course. I think I drove it really well.
I took advantage of the par fives and some of the short par fours, and I think that’s important on this golf course.
“I think most of the trouble is from the tee, so once you put the driver in play, it opens up from there.
So, I think I did a good job from there. I didn’t take full advantage of all those great drives, but I mean I took advantage enough. I am overjoyed to be heading to The Open.”
A day like this is the kind of performance that turns the unpredictability of golf into a thing of beauty.
Ortiz’s masterful play, including an unforgettable eagle on the 12th—despite a slight miss on a five-footer that might have extended his lead even further—reminded us all why golf remains a game of fine margins and breathtaking moments. After his eagle, he added,
“I was trying to get it on the green and it looked good in the air, you know, getting it that close it’s obviously a little bit of luck, but I hit a great shot so it’s nice to be able to capitalize on that.”
This victory marks the 10th win of Carlos Ortiz’s career—a milestone that follows successful campaigns on both the LIV Golf League and the PGA Tour.
With this win, the 33-year-old now leads the Asian Tour Order of Merit and The International Series rankings, setting his sights on The Open at Royal Portrush this summer.
The event, part of the Open Qualifying Series, offers the top three finishers who aren’t already exempt a coveted berth in golf’s oldest Major.
Not to be overlooked, Patrick Reed—eager to replicate his previous win at the Link Hong Kong Open last November—shot a 67, while Jason Kokrak, another American, finished three shots back in third place.
Sergio Garcia, no stranger to the drama of golf’s finest stages, ended the day one stroke adrift in fourth with a 65.
Garcia’s heart sank a little when a missed three-footer for birdie on the final hole denied him a tie with Kokrak, with his higher world ranking determining the final order.
Reed summed up his mixed emotions after a roller-coaster day at the links:
“A little frustrating. I didn’t make many putts. Had the case of lip outs for two days. So that’s unfortunate. When you do something like that, it’s just hard to win golf tournaments.
“Put myself in position, and yeah, I hit the ball plenty well enough. 16 greens today, had a decent amount of looks, just, you know, just lipping out and burning edges.
“So unfortunately I wasn’t able to get the win. But anytime you can play bogey free on Sundays, always positive really. To go and finish solo second, get at spot in The Open, yeah, it means a lot.”
For those keen to track the unfolding drama as players gear up for The Open, more details about The International Series can be found at www.internationalseries.com.
In a game where a single shot can redefine destiny, Carlos Ortiz’s performance in Macau was a reminder that on any given day, with the right mix of skill and a dash of luck, legends are born.
