LIV GOLF HOUSTON

June 8, 2024

Carlos Ortiz

Adrian Meronk

Golf Club of Houston

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Let's welcome Carlos Ortiz from Torque GC and Adrian Meronk from Cleeks GC. You guys are tied for the lead at 10-under. Tell us a little bit about your day.

CARLOS ORTIZ: Overall it was a pretty solid day. I played pretty good all day. I had a couple tee shots that one of them cost me a bogey, but other than that, I felt like I was in control.

I think here the key is trying to make those putts. I think everybody is putting the same greens, and they're a little bit tricky. Other than that, I feel really happy the way I played.

ADRIAN MERONK: Yeah, I felt it was a tricky day today. The wind picked up a little bit different direction, so same, I played quite solid. Could have been much lower. Missed a couple of putts coming down the stretch. But still pretty pleased with my round and my position going into Sunday. Yeah, it should be good Sunday tomorrow.

Q. Carlos, when we talked earlier in the week I asked you if you had extra confidence heading into the week given you've won in Houston before. That has proven to be true. Can you tell us about that confidence and what that's done for your game?

CARLOS ORTIZ: I don't think it really matters if you've won here or not. I really like Texas. I guess I'm used to this weather, too. I just feel comfortable playing here. I like the golf course and the people. I guess maybe that's the confidence.

I don't know, but I've been playing really good, and I think it's just reflecting now.

Q. Adrian, the Cleeks are doing awesome. You had your flag drop in from the parachute this morning on the first tee. You guys are really gaining a lot of momentum. How much of that do you think is attributed to that new amazing team member?

ADRIAN MERONK: Well, it was nice to see the flag finally. It was a nice moment.

No, it feels like we're bonding nicely from week to week. We've been playing some good golf. I hope we can keep on going. We're in a good position again this week, and yeah, the boys are doing great. The chemistry is really nice. It's been very enjoyable for me being a Cleek.

Q. It's a packed leaderboard; there are currently four people tied for 10th and then a couple others are 9- and 8-under. What do you need to do to break away from the pack and take home that W?

CARLOS ORTIZ: Shoot the low score tomorrow. No, honestly, just try to play solid. How you said, I think everybody, probably even at 6-, 7-under, everybody has a chance, so tomorrow just try to get as low as possible and play the best of all these guys.

ADRIAN MERONK: Yeah, simple as that, just shoot the lowest score. Probably just make those putts.

I think nothing is going to change in terms of strategy. Just keep the same strategy, hitting my targets, and just hope that the ball will go in the hole in fewer shots than others.

Q. Carlos, you've won on the other course, but I think you had one good performance here. Which course do you think actually fits your game better?

CARLOS ORTIZ: The one that week the ball goes in the hole the quickest. I honestly don't think there is -- there are some golf courses that I really like. These ones are -- we've never played the golf course the way it's playing right now. We normally played it overseed. I like it. It's a good golf course if you're hitting it good off the tee. I've been driving it really well, so it's playing like my favorite right now, so I like it.

Q. How much different is it playing now than when you were here, when you guys played here?

CARLOS ORTIZ: I mean, it's about 30 degrees different and humidity levels quite higher. But it's Bermudagrass instead of ryegrass. The greens are a little bit more bumpy instead of being perfect. We're starting the summer here.

Q. Adrian, obviously this is your first year with LIV. The Cleeks are the only team that haven't been able to celebrate a trophy of any kind. Do you guys talk about that? Is it time for the Cleeks to raise a trophy and enjoy a champagne celebration?

ADRIAN MERONK: We don't talk about it. Just every single player just focuses on themselves, on getting better.

I think you can see the progress from the beginning of the year. Hopefully we can lift the trophy soon.

When, I cannot tell you. Depends on many factors.

But as I said, the chemistry and level of play, it's progressing from week to week. We can just hope to play well tomorrow. It's going to be exciting. Every score counts, so anything can happen tomorrow.

Q. I asked Martin this yesterday, but you see a teammate win the Senior PGA like Blandy did, how much does that increase the confidence level amongst the team in general?

ADRIAN MERONK: I think it was huge for Richard. We're so proud of him. I think he really deserves this. He's been playing so much good golf here, and he proved last week that he's the best senior out there.

Yeah, it's great having him on the team and getting some wisdom from him.

Q. Carlos, you're 21-under in the final rounds this year. I think that's among one of the better final-round scores. What's been going on in the final round for you this year and how much does that give you confidence going into the final round tomorrow?

CARLOS ORTIZ: I think shooting those scores the final round. Honestly, it's getting used to the golf course. I think I have to play a lot more -- I've been trying to play more in the practice rounds, like play more instead of take it too seriously, just try to feel the golf course and see where the game is at. I think it's helping starting the tournaments a little bit better.

Honestly, tomorrow anybody can win, so it's just about getting out there, having fun, and trying to shoot the lowest score.

Q. You have eight-ish kids already. If you win this week, will you make another one?

CARLOS ORTIZ: I think if I win this week, it will be enough to pay for school for maybe two, three of them. I still probably have to win a couple more times to have more kids.

Q. You guys have played two rounds out here. You've got a good feel of the golf course. Everybody is shooting kind of low. Is there a certain number, a target number that you're looking at that you need to shoot tomorrow to secure victory?

ADRIAN MERONK: Good question. I'm going to say 15-under might do it. That's my guess.

CARLOS ORTIZ: Yeah, good guess.

ADRIAN MERONK: We'll see tomorrow around this time.

Q. Carlos, obviously winning in Houston before, that has to give you a lot of confidence. Tell me, what would it feel to win one more time in Houston and win this kind of trophy? How would it feel different to win this tournament than it did in years past?

CARLOS ORTIZ: I mean, it would feel amazing, and the difference would be that I could celebrate it with my teammates. That would be awesome. I've done it in Oman, Joaquín has done it two times, and it's great when you have your people around you. My family is here, so it would be great. But we're still 18 holes away. Anything can happen, but I'll do my best.