Carlos Ortiz claims reporter was banned by PGA Tour for working at LIV Golf
Carlos Ortiz has revealed a friend of his was allegedly banned from reporting at PGA Tour events having also worked on the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
LIV Golf rebel Carlos Ortiz claimed that a friend of his was banned from the PGA Tour after reporting on a LIV Golf Tour event on behalf of a Spanish-speaking golf website.
In an interview with Handicap 54, Ortiz criticised the PGA Tour for "controlling the market" and "not being open to what is good for them" after his friend from GolfWiken was supposedly suspended by the circuit for 30 days.
Ortiz, 31, has played in the Portland Invitational and the Bedminster Invitational on the LIV Golf Invitational Series so far, finishing second and fourth. The Mexican claimed his friend was banned by the Tour for working onsite in the Saudi-backed series.
The PGA Tour has suspended players who have defected to Greg Norman's controversial series and removed them from the FedEx Cup standings, but this is the first indication that members of the media could also be the subject of bans.
"The PGA Tour has controlled the market and they make people write a certain way. In fact, I had a Chilean friend whom after covering us at LIV, was suspended by the PGA Tour for 30 days," Ortiz said.
"A reporter. They are suspending reporters because they report. And their job is to report what they see. They (the Tour) do not accept that people write something positive. I feel like the PGA Tour is not open to what's good for them."
Earlier this week, Ortiz removed his name from the antitrust lawsuit filed against the PGA Tour which was on a list with Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson and Ian Poulter.
While speaking to Handicap 54, Ortiz wanted to avoid any personal issues with the Tour and he has nothing against the circuit which he won once on during his stint.
Pat Perez has also withdrawn from legal action, citing the same feelings as Ortiz. He said he has no "ill feelings" towards the Tour and he doesn't want to "go after it".
"At the end of the day, I don't want to have any problems with the PGA Tour," Ortiz added.
"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.
"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.
"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."
