LIV Golf pro reveals why he pulled out of PGA Tour lawsuit

Carlos Ortiz was one of the 11 LIV Golf players who filed an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour at the start of the month, until he withdrew his name from the papers.

Now, speaking to Handicap 54, the Mexican player has revealed why he no longer wanted to be a part of the lawsuit, which included a request for Hudson Swafford, Matt Jones and Talor Gooch to play the FedEx Cup playoffs, a request that was eventually denied in court.

“At the end of the day, I don’t want to have any problems with the PGA Tour,” he explained.

“I’m happy where I am. I don’t want to go back to the PGA Tour now. And that’s why I withdrew from the lawsuit. I’m not against the PGA Tour. I wanted to play the playoffs, if possible.

“Those who were suing, they asked me, ‘if there is a chance to play the playoffs, would you like to play them?’ I told them that of course, I would love to play them.”

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Ortiz is currently ranked 142nd in the world, and finished fourth in the most recent LIV Golf event at Bedminster.

“When I realised that to play the tournaments they put me in a lawsuit, and with all the controversy that is going on, I got off, because I don’t want to sue the PGA Tour,” the 31-year-old explained.

The Mexican star went on to say that had it been straightforward, he would have played the playoffs, but found animosity when he put his name to the lawsuit.

“It wasn’t simple. People took it very personally, that I’m suing the PGA Tour,” he said.  

“I qualified for the playoffs. And with the points I made in the year, I have my place in the playoffs. I’m not taking the place away from anyone.”

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He also said that when he left the PGA Tour to join the Greg Norman fronted circuit, he spoke to Jay Monahan, telling the PGA Tour chief that he had no hard feelings towards the PGA Tour.

“I love the PGA Tour and I grew up watching the PGA Tour. I even watch it now. I don’t watch much golf, but if a friend is there, I’ll see him. I have nothing against the PGA Tour.

“At the end of the day, I don’t want any problems, I’m at peace and I’m happy at LIV Golf.”