Farmers Insurance Open: Carlos Ortiz

Back in 2014 I was predicting big things for Carlos Ortiz; he’d just earned battlefield promotion to the PGA Tour thanks to three victories on the Korn Ferry Tour but the transition proved to be a struggle.

At the end of that successful 2014 he finished the year ranked 142nd in the world. There’s been some fallow years in-between but he turned a corner in 2019 and in a mirror to that successful campaign five years ago, he again finished the calendar year ranked 142nd in the world. The difference this time round is that Ortiz is an older and more mature player, he is also unburdened by hype and expectation; apart from in this column!

There are several factors that make Ortiz a good pick this week. His form coming into the event is very good, he’s made his last 7 cuts and has three top-5 finishes during that period. This season he’s already earned a career high $1.2million and has pretty much locked up his card for another season. He’s now playing with house money and can push on for the win.

His record at Torrey Pines is a creditable 11-49-MC and he has the right tools at his disposal. He hits the ball high and long; he ranked second for driving distance at the Sony Open and his putter has been hot for several months now. Ortiz’s name doesn’t standout in a stellar field but this could be his breakout year on the PGA Tour.

Betfair are paying 8 places at 1/5 odds.