International Series Macau: ‘ho-hum’ day for leader Reed, but Ortiz steals show
As American put together a workmanlike round, the Mexican started slowly before taking ‘advantage of a good day’ to finish with a flourish
Halfway leader Patrick Reed described his performance at the International Series Macau on Friday as “ho-hum” – but there was nothing boring about the golf going on behind him.
While the American was putting together a workmanlike six-under-par 64 to reach 13 under, Carlos Ortiz’s sparkling 61 propelled him into second just a shot back.
In an LIV-heavy leaderboard, Lucas Herbert’s 65 took him to third at 10 under alongside Travis Smyth, with Sergio Garcia, Miguel Tabuena and Kieran Vincent locked in a tie for fifth at nine under.
Like Reed, who started with a birdie on 10 and then immediately gave the shot back on 11, Ortiz made a relatively sedate start to the day, with a bogey at the par-4 fifth leaving him even par for the round.
Then the fireworks started, as the Mexican birdied nine of his last 12 holes.
“It’s always good when you make a lot of birdies,” the Torque GC player said. “I feel like I played solid, I left myself in good spots, I drove the ball pretty well, so it’s nice to take advantage of a good day.”
