Staff WriterCarlos Ortiz, Patrick Reed and Jason Kokrak earn Open Championship berths at Royal Portrush—and frankly, it’s a wonder the clubhouse roof is still intact after the electric finish they delivered at International Series Macau on Sunday.
Their stellar play secured the coveted spots for this year’s fourth major, rewarding a spectacular performance over four days at the second of 10 elevated Asian Tour events.
Three prized Open tickets dangled tantalisingly in Macau this week after the tournament was added to the 2025 Open Qualifying Series.
A tough crowd, featuring 17 LIV Golf League players (including three major winners) and a slew of Asian Tour standouts, descended on Macau Golf and Country Club from 20-23 March for a shot at making history—and they did not disappoint.
Mexican star Carlos Ortiz led the charge in resounding fashion, shooting rounds of 67, 61, 66, and 64 for a 22-under total and a three-shot victory. Along with 180 valuable rankings points, he punched his ticket to The Open.
The Torque GC player was quick to praise The R&A’s decision, noting: “I think it’s great from The R&A to recognise the level of playing, which is bringing good players to these tournaments and it’s nice to see them giving three spots.”
Ortiz is no stranger to The International Series, having claimed last year’s International Series Oman.
His win in Macau propelled him to a tie atop The International Series Rankings—matching Ollie Schniederjans, the victor at International Series India presented by DLF—and he now leads the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Late fireworks also lit up the leaderboard, with Canada’s Richard T. Lee, Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho, and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond all vaulting into the top 10 on Sunday.
Australia’s Travis Smyth, Sweden’s Charlie Lindh, and Germany’s Dominic Foos, all regulars on The International Series, finished in a tie for T10.
“I think it is great,” Ortiz said. “I always love coming to these tournaments. The competition is strong, and it is good for us (LIV Golf) and good for them (Asian Tour).
We have some of the top players in the world, and we get to play with some of the best players from the Asian region too, so it is a win-win situation. I have some friends playing here on the Asian Tour, and it is nice seeing them play well too.”
Patrick Reed, the 2018 Masters champion and winner of the Link Hong Kong Open late last year, posted scores of 63, 64, 67, and 67.
He took the early lead before Ortiz caught up and pulled away. Reed, of 4Aces GC, admitted he was going full throttle to reclaim his spot at The Open: “Last year was the first time I was not in all four majors.
I was on 42 straight until last year, and so, you know, being at Augusta this year, now being in The Open, that is great. Hopefully play some good golf, you know, getting to the other two and getting back on being in all four is the goal.”
Meanwhile, Jason Kokrak, a member of Brooks Koepka’s Smash GC, clung to his berth by a single shot when 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia missed a seemingly routine putt at the last.
Had Garcia sunk it, he would have qualified ahead of Kokrak on countback, courtesy of a higher world ranking.
Kokrak, who shot 68, 64, 65, and 67 over the four rounds, breathed a sigh of relief at the finish line: “I knew we had three spots, and I knew I needed to shoot under par, like three, four, five or six, to even scare the lead or to get a spot.
The pins were tough but I knew that there were three spots, and I knew I had to finish top three to secure that spot, and I knew Sergio was going to give it a push, as he did. I was kind of leaking oil coming in, but I got it done.”
He also has fond memories of Royal Portrush, having competed there in 2019 when local hero Shane Lowry claimed a stirring victory.
“I love Portrush, I love the area. Obviously, my (Smash GC) teammate Graeme McDowell is a local there. They named one of the holes after him, so I have heard a lot about Portrush.
Brooks’ caddie is from that area too, so looking forward to playing a few practice rounds with my teammate and Ricky, and getting together and having a little bit of fun and competing for The Open trophy.”
With the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in Korea set for 1-4 May and the new International Series Japan teeing off at Caledonian Golf Club from 8-11 May, the Asian Tour continues to charge ahead.
For more details on The International Series, visit: www.internationalseries.com.
Safe to say, Carlos Ortiz, Patrick Reed and Jason Kokrak have well and truly earned their Open Championship status—and some well-deserved applause for their efforts on one of golf’s biggest stages. Royal Portrush now beckons, and the excitement is only growing louder.
