The MGM Tour Match Play Invitational, marks its 10th edition Saturday. Previously known as the “Grand Lux”, the Tour’s first Major of the season will mark the occasion by returning to Los Feliz Par-3, site of the first edition. The tournament in 2003 was not just the first edition, it was the debut of the MGM Golf Tour. Jo Clemente defeated Ryan Jonasson to win the inaugural event, and would successfully defend his title to become the Tour’s first 2-time winner. In celebration of the 10th edition, Clemente returns as part of a 15-man field.
COURSE: Los Feliz Par-3
3207 Los Feliz Blvd.
L.A., 90039
(323) 663-7758
[google-map-v3 width=”350″ height=”350″ zoom=”12″ maptype=”roadmap” mapalign=”left” directionhint=”false” language=”default” poweredby=”false” maptypecontrol=”true” pancontrol=”true” zoomcontrol=”true” scalecontrol=”true” streetviewcontrol=”true” scrollwheelcontrol=”false” draggable=”true” tiltfourtyfive=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkerlist=”3207 Los Feliz Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90039{}bank.png” bubbleautopan=”true” showbike=”false” showtraffic=”false” showpanoramio=”false”]
DATE: Saturday, April 6 [12:15], Sunday April 7 [7:45]
FORMAT: Match Play
PAST CHAMPIONS:
2003, Jo Clemente
2004, no tournament played
2005, Jo Clemente
2006, Armen Grigorian
2007, Armen Grigorian
2008, Chris Moawad
2009, Doug Vargas
2010, Armen Grigorian
2011, Armen Grigorian
2012, Armen Grigorian
Defending Champion: Armen Grigorian
Defeated Walter Vargas 4 and 2
MATCHES
#1 Armen Grigorian (23-4) vs. winner of #8 Mann-#9 Vargas
Opponents of 3-time defending, 5-time overall winner Grigorian have to play their best round to even have a shot at winning. That’s a lot of pressure, and therein lies Grigorian’s built-in advantage in this tournament.
#2 Chris Moawad (11-6) vs. #15 Rene Quiroz (0-3)
Moawad’s 4 straight Final Four appearances ended with his quarterfinal loss to Gerry Vaughan last year.
Previous meeting: Have never faced each other.
#3 P-Jay Fidler (1-7) vs. #14 Martin Witt (2-6)
The previous year’s Tour Championship winner – in this case P-Jay Fidler – receives the #3 seed. It’s a boon to Fidler as he would otherwise be a much lower seed. He’s had two 1st round forfeit losses in the past 4 years and his last, and only win, was in 2008 against none other than Martin Witt. Veteran Witt is making only his 4th appearance in the past 8 years.
#4 Walter Vargas (8-6) vs. #13 Tim Joe (2-9)
Previous meeting: Vargas defeated Joe in the 1st round in 2007.
#5 Gerry Vaughan (9-6) vs. #12 Jo Clemente (8-1)
As the #1 seed and 2-time defending champion, Clemente suffered his first defeat when he lost in the 2006 Semi-Finals to #7 Clint Crump. It was Clemente’s last appearance on Tour (until last month’s Hooters Team Play Championship). Vaughan made his 4th consecutive Final Four last year, but had to forfeit his match against eventual winner Grigorian due to work.
Previous meeting: Have never faced each other.
#6 Patrick Bird (6-9) vs. #11 John Frost (2-8)
Hard to believe these two charter members have never faced one another. Frost forfeited his 1st round match last year, while Bird enters with 2 straight 1st round victories.
#7 Clint Crump (11-9) vs. #10 Travois Gordón (5-7)
Previous meeting: As a 10 seed in 2009 Crump defeated 7 seed Gordón in the 1st round. Crump has never lost in the first round.
#8 John Mann (5-7) vs. #9 Doug Vargas (14-6)
Despite the 2nd most career match play wins and having never been seeded lower than #3, Vargas is a head-turning 9 seed this year. Failing to reach the Final Four for the first time last year, lingering questions about the health of his knee, and family distractions have many doubting he can seriously contend.
Previous meeting: Vargas defeated Mann 1-UP in 2011 in the 1st round, needing to win the final hole to take the match.
