Carlos Ortiz (shoulder) won't defend Houston Open title

[November 11, 2021] Carlos Ortiz won't defend his first career PGA Tour title after withdrawing from the Houston Open on Tuesday due to a lingering shoulder injury.

Ortiz, 30, withdrew after the second round of last month's Zozo Championship. He returned for last week's World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba, finishing solo second in his bid to win in his home country.

Last year, Ortiz became the first Mexican player to win on the PGA Tour in 42 years when he claimed the Houston Open at Memorial Park Golf Course. However, he announced Tuesday that his doctors advised taking the rest of the year off to rest the shoulder.

"Unfortunately, I've been battling a left shoulder injury since Japan and after meeting with my doctors this morning, it was recommended that I take the rest of the season off to recover," Ortiz said. "This is incredibly disappointing to me as I was looking forward to defending my first PGA Tour title in Texas, my second home.

"I'm honored to be a champion of this event and I look forward to returning next year."

Ortiz was replaced by John Huh in the Houston Open field.

--Field Level Media

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