University of North Texas Athletics
Ortiz Set For Second U.S. Open, Better Result
6/12/2019 12:30:00 PM | Men's Golf
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. - Former UNT standout Carlos Ortiz will tee it up among the game's best on Thursday, when he begins play at the U.S. Open at famed Pebble Beach Golf Links in his second career appearance in the tournament.
Ortiz qualified through a sectional qualifier at Bent Tree Country Club in Dallas. He will be in the first group off the first tee on Thursday and paired with Sam Saunders and Marcus Fraser, as he looks to build on what has been a breakout year so far for the 28-year-old Mean Green alum.
"Playing the U.S. Open is a great opportunity for me to show how my game has evolved in the last few years," Ortiz said. "And to show that I'm capable of playing on big stages."
His former coach believes he could be hoisting a trophy sooner, rather than later.
"Carlos has the game to contend and win a major," UNT coach Brad Stracke said. "I hope this is the week he wins one."
Ortiz, who enters the weekend as the 109th-ranked player in the world, has already taken home $745,292 in winnings in 2019 - nearly half of his career earnings of $2.02 million - and has two top-10 finishes this season with a tie for third at the Sanderson Farms Championship and a tie for ninth at the Genesis Open. He had a strong showing in Dallas last month at the AT&T Byron Nelson, when he finished tied for 12th. He also tied his career-low round of 62 earlier this year at the Desert Classic.
Ortiz's other appearance in the U.S. Open came in 2016, when he missed the cut at Oakmont Golf Course. He said he has a different mindset and level of confidence this week than he did three years ago.
"I definitely feel that I'm more prepared than I was for my last U.S. Open," Ortiz said. "I think I've matured a lot over the last three years, and my game is right where it needs to be."
The 2013 UNT graduate was a four-time All-Sun Belt Conference performer and 2011 Sun Belt champion. He was a centerpiece of one of the best runs the program has seen in recent memory from 2010-2013, including three straight team bids to the NCAA tournament. He still remembers his time in Denton fondly, and said it helped put him in the position he's in this week.
"My time at North Texas was really special, and I wouldn't be the player I am today without my four years under coach Stracke," Ortiz said.
Ortiz qualified through a sectional qualifier at Bent Tree Country Club in Dallas. He will be in the first group off the first tee on Thursday and paired with Sam Saunders and Marcus Fraser, as he looks to build on what has been a breakout year so far for the 28-year-old Mean Green alum.
"Playing the U.S. Open is a great opportunity for me to show how my game has evolved in the last few years," Ortiz said. "And to show that I'm capable of playing on big stages."
His former coach believes he could be hoisting a trophy sooner, rather than later.
"Carlos has the game to contend and win a major," UNT coach Brad Stracke said. "I hope this is the week he wins one."
Ortiz, who enters the weekend as the 109th-ranked player in the world, has already taken home $745,292 in winnings in 2019 - nearly half of his career earnings of $2.02 million - and has two top-10 finishes this season with a tie for third at the Sanderson Farms Championship and a tie for ninth at the Genesis Open. He had a strong showing in Dallas last month at the AT&T Byron Nelson, when he finished tied for 12th. He also tied his career-low round of 62 earlier this year at the Desert Classic.
Ortiz's other appearance in the U.S. Open came in 2016, when he missed the cut at Oakmont Golf Course. He said he has a different mindset and level of confidence this week than he did three years ago.
"I definitely feel that I'm more prepared than I was for my last U.S. Open," Ortiz said. "I think I've matured a lot over the last three years, and my game is right where it needs to be."
The 2013 UNT graduate was a four-time All-Sun Belt Conference performer and 2011 Sun Belt champion. He was a centerpiece of one of the best runs the program has seen in recent memory from 2010-2013, including three straight team bids to the NCAA tournament. He still remembers his time in Denton fondly, and said it helped put him in the position he's in this week.
"My time at North Texas was really special, and I wouldn't be the player I am today without my four years under coach Stracke," Ortiz said.
Friday, November 04