Carlos Ortiz, Patrick Reed and Jason Kokrak are heading into The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush riding a wave of momentum, after earning their spots with standout finishes at International Series Macau presented by Wynn.
Their qualification through the Open Qualifying Series (OQS) in Macau, held in March, not only reflects their elite calibre but also underscores the growing stature of The International Series as a launchpad to the sport’s most prestigious events.
After winning in Macau, for his second International Series title, Mexico’s Ortiz has continued a sizzling run of form. Just weeks later, he secured a fourth-place finish at LIV Golf Miami, then followed up with two additional top-10 performances in the LIV Golf League.
His most notable achievement came last month with a T4 finish at the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont, marking the best Major result of his career and firmly establishing him as one of the players to watch in the field heading into The Open.
Reflecting on the significance of his qualification for The Open, Ortiz said: “Having the spots to offer this year is a huge win for the Asian Tour and The International Series. I’m happy to have earned one of them, it really shows how much recognition this tournament is gaining.”
Joining Ortiz is 2018 Masters champion Reed, who claimed his Open Championship berth with a strong runner-up showing in Macau. Reed, from the United States, has been in sharp form ever since, highlighted by a third-place finish at the Masters, his best result at Augusta since his iconic win, and a victory at LIV Golf Dallas, along with three additional top 10s across the season.
Eager to return to The Open, Reed said: “It means a lot to me to be back. Not playing last year didn’t sit well, so I’m excited to return to Royal Portrush. I think this will be my 10th or 11th Open Championship. It’s always special, and I’m ready.”
Rounding out the trio is Kokrak, who also secured his slot at The Open through his top three finish in Macau. Kokrak arrives at Royal Portrush in solid form, having recently posted a T10 at LIV Golf Andalucia.
With a strong personal connection to Portrush through his Smash GC teammate Graeme McDowell and Brooks Koepka’s caddie Ricky Elliott, both locals, Kokrak is relishing the opportunity to compete on the storied links.
“I love Portrush, I love the area,” said the American. “My teammate Graeme is from here and even has a hole named after him. I’m looking forward to a few practices rounds with Ricky, a bit of fun and hopefully a great week competing for the Claret Jug.”
The International Series Macau presented by Wynn became part of the OQS for the first time this year. The R&A launched the OQS in order to offer golfers around the world the opportunity to book their place in golf’s original Championship. In addition to Macau, the national Opens of New Zealand and Korea are the other Asian Tour events that are part of the series.
Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, added: "The presence of Ortiz, Reed, and Kokrak at The Open through their performance in Macau speaks volumes about the level of competition and opportunity The International Series now represents.
“We’re proud to offer a platform that not only showcases elite talent but also opens the door to the game’s biggest stages. This is just the beginning of what we aim to build across Asia and the global golfing landscape.”
The Open Championship gets underway this Thursday, with Ortiz grouped alongside JT Poston and Chris Kirk, Reed paired with Denny McCarthy and Nico Echavarria, and Kokrak joining Nathan Kimsey and Cameron Adam, each looking to build on their strong form from Macau as they compete on the iconic stage at Royal Portrush.
The International Series is the most prized pathway in golf. It consists of a set of elite tournaments sanctioned by the Asian Tour and offers the year-long Rankings Winner & Runner-Up promotion to the LIV Golf League.
