The 43-year-old is part of a formidable group from the Asian Tour who qualified for the unique four-round event at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club from 8-10 December via this season’s standings on The International Series Order of Merit.
Thanks to his sixth-place finish in the standings at the end of the season, the International Series Thailand champion is one of 13 players who go straight into round two of the event, where they will join the top 20 who progress from a 60-strong field in round one.
Only the top 20 at the end of day two will then progress to the final day, and a two-round shootout from scratch for those three golden tickets.
He said: “I want to give it everything I can because it is a great opportunity, one of the greatest opportunities that has ever been presented in world golf, so that guys can graduate straight through to the LIV Golf League, which has proved to be pretty lucrative and exciting and a fun format.”
Ormsby knows what is at stake. The four-time Asian Tour winner was a member of the Punch GC team playing in the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational Series in the 2022 season and was reserve for the all-Australian Ripper GC team for the 2023 season of the inaugural LIV Golf League.
He said: “I had a taste of it in 2022 and I want more of it, so it is up to me to grab one of those three spots, it is about putting my best foot forward. It is an exciting format, it is shorter and faster and the camaraderie among the players and teams is completely different to what I have experienced before.
“Definitely that team aspect, I have experienced that at Punch and now Ripper GC, and that was a lot of fun. Pulling for your mates is a different feel to looking after yourself. Put all that together and it is pretty exciting and a lot of fun.”
With decades of experience and four professional wins on the Asian Tour under his belt, Ormsby is relishing the prospect of trying something new as he prepares to tee it up at the LIV Golf Promotions event which has brought together over 70 players from 23 different countries for a make-or-break weekend in the UAE.
Ormsby is one of 11 Australians taking a shot at glory over the weekend. Discussing the format, which sees the best 20 qualify from rounds one and two with a score reset, he said: “It is very new to everyone, and if I get through, I think it is a good format! Obviously it is short and sharp, and that is what LIV is all about. I’m looking forward to it, it is new to everyone – arguably the biggest Q school on world golf.
“In terms of preparation, I’ve just played three weeks straight – two weeks on The International Series, and then the Australian PGA. I took the week of the Australian Open off to do some extra work and prepare myself, and I will fly over on Tuesday.
“A Saturday start feels a bit strange for a big event, but I know the course and will get two looks at it (Wednesday and Thursday practice rounds), and then with Friday as an off day for me I can still get some practice in. I feel my game is in a pretty good spot, and I’m looking forward to it – it is my last event of the year and I’m ready to give it everything.”
