In his first year as a professional, Carlos Ortiz became an instant hit in 2014 on the Web.com Tour, winning three times to earn player of the year honors and in the process a promotion to the PGA Tour.

Now he’s ready to hit the gym.

The lanky youngster, who tops out at 6-0 and 150 pounds dripping wet, is soaking in sage advice from veterans such as Sergio Garcia and Tim Clark as he continues to mature.

His hope is to beef up his body, endurance and mental approach to better equip himself to face the best players in the world and the rigors of living on the road.

Along the way, his dream is to bulk up enough to help lift golf’s popularity and access in his home country of Mexico, where soccer rules and the game remains nearly entrenched with the privileged.

It’s a tall order in a country of 122 million but Ortiz is determined to follow in the footsteps of former world No. 1 and LPGA Tour star Lorena Ochoa. She is an icon in Mexico with her presence, personality and charitable work that increases opportunities for those lacking, including introducing golf to people of all walks of life.

“Lorena was a big inspiration for me growing up as a kid,” said Ortiz, who as a junior player caught the eye of Ochoa at Guadalajara Country Club near her home base. “She was an example. Hopefully I can do what she did for me and I can help show people golf is a positive in Mexico and make the game grow.”

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