Vallarta, Jalisco.- Sent. The impetuous sun on the beaches of Vallarta has not been an impediment for the Mexican fans to accompany their greatest golf idols with songs. Abraham Ancer and the brothers Carlos and Álvaro Ortiz have been the favorites of those attending the Mexico Open at Vidanta and that encouragement translated into their participation, as all three managed to make it through the tournament cutoff and have jumped into the weekend rounds with still chances to fight for the title.
“I’m super excited, it means a lot to me to finally make a cut. I failed a couple of times in a row on the Korn Ferry Tour, so now it feels good to be back in action for the weekend. I think I’m playing good golf, I’ve been working hard. My game is beginning to feel where I think it should be and I am very excited to have this opportunity”, said Álvaro Ortiz, who finished as the best ranked Mexican player in the tournament after Friday’s session by placing himself in a T25 with 137 shots (68 the Thursday and 69 on Friday) and -5.
According to official data, this is only the second time that the Ortiz brothers exceed the cut of the same event within the PGA Toursbecause the first time they achieved it was in Mayakoba 2019. In said contest Carlos tied for second place and Álvaro tied for 48th place.
For his part, Carlos Ortiz began Saturday’s day in position T47 with 139 strokes (-3), while Abraham Ancer, in T58 with 140 (-2). Both have been among the most cheered by the fans, who have gathered at the field of Vidanta from 10:00 a.m.; The children arrive carrying caps, shirts and flags with the hope that they will be signed by their great national golf idols.
“I was very happy to see how many children are here. I feel like maybe five or six years ago you wouldn’t see many kids in Mexico attending a tournament here in our country,” reflected Abraham Ancer, while Carlos Ortiz described, “The atmosphere feels great here. I’m so thankful for everyone who came out to support, they’ve been there from the first hole and I definitely listen to them. It’s very motivating to have them.”
For their part, the other seven Mexicans participating in the Vidanta Open, including three from the amateur category, did not make the cut on Friday. Roberto Díaz and Armando Favela were the closest with 142 (+2) and 144 (+2), respectively, followed by José Antonio Safa (149, +7), José Cristóbal Islas (150, +8), Isidro Benítez (154, +12), Santiago De la Fuente (155, +13) and Manuel Inman (160, +18). Safa, Islas and De la Fuente are the three under 20s who competed under the amateur tag.
Although Abraham Ancer and Carlos Ortiz entered the vidanta tournament as the best positioned Mexicans in the world ranking (20 and 90, respectively), in the first days of activity they have been overwhelmed by the good moment of Álvaro Ortiz. The 26-year-old from Jalisco admits that his performance has been on the rise and he says he is happy about it.
“Sometimes golf is like that. It’s just a matter of putting in one or two more putts and taking a couple more good swings. That is what happened this week. I feel like I’ve been playing good golf for the last month and I finally feel like I’m starting to get some results, but I think it’s just a matter of being patient and positive, because I’ve been working hard. I think I’ve been doing the right thing and it’s just a matter of time.”
However, the first seed of the Mexico Open, the Spaniard Jon Rahm (third in the world ranking), began the weekend as the leader with a score of 12 under par in 130 shots made in 36 holes. The Iberian showed off his best moves on Friday afternoon to the expectation of the crowd, who also feel connected to the language but above all because of his good performance in recent years in the top flight.
“I hope for more of the same (on the weekend session), to continue hitting well from tee to green and to continue making putts. I’ve been playing well, I can’t really complain about anything I’m doing at the moment, so I hope I can keep up that good ball hitting and keep potting like I’ve done”, said the Spaniard.
At the end of the session on Friday, the American Alex Smalley was in second place, while the third was tied between the Americans Adam Long, Brandon Hagy, Andrew Novak, Cameron Champ, Trey Mullinax and Patrick Reed, who already knows what what it is to be a champion in Mexico having won in Chapultepec 2020.
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