It there is to be one – and there is one now – Doug Vargas is an answer to a Match Play Invitational trivia question. The defending champion was the last man to win the event before Armen Grigorian’s 3-peat and was the man who ended it. The victory was sweet justice for Vargas who felt disrespected at being a 9-seed. Not much for Tour sentimentality Armen Grigorian likely rued the day tournament officials decided to celebrate the 10th edition by returning to Los Feliz, site of the inaugural edition. Away from Rancho Park, where he has virtually owned this tournament, Grigorian would lose his first match, thus ending hopes of a 4-peat.
COURSE: Rancho Park Par-3
10460 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, 90064
DATE: Saturday, March 22 [7:40AM] Sunday 23rd [tba]
FORMAT: Match Play
Defending Champion: Doug Vargas
Defeated P-Jay Fidler 1-Up
PAST CHAMPIONS:
2003, Jo Clemente
2004, no tournament held
2005, Jo Clemente
2006, Armen Grigorian
2007, Armen Grigorian
2008, Chris Moawad
2009, Doug Vargas
2010, Armen Grigorian
2011, Armen Grigorian
2012, Armen Grigorian
MATCHES
#8 Patrick Bird (7-10) vs. #9 Travois Gordón (5-8), winner vs. #1 Doug Vargas (18-6)
Bird’s last 1st round loss came in 2010 against none other than Gordón. Despite losing his last 2 1st round matches, Gordón enters with the hot hand following his stellar performance at The Hooters.
Previous meeting: As a 6-seed in 2010 Gordón defeated #11 Bird 3and2.
Versus Vargas: Bird 0-1 Gordón 0-0
#7 P-Jay Fidler (4-8) vs. #10 John Mann (5-8), winner vs. #2 Armen Grigorian (23-5)
Fidler was a career 1-7 in match play (3 losses by forfeit) before his surprising run last year that ended with Doug Vargas’s final putt on the final hole. Mann has lost 2 of his last 3 1st round matches.
Previous meeting: Have never faced each other.
Versus Grigorian: Mann 0-2 Fidler 0-0
#3 Chris Moawad (12-7) vs. #14 Ed Quiroz (0-0)
Experience vs. the Great Unknown. Everything To Lose vs. Nothing To Lose. Put this one on upset alert.
Previous meeting: Have never faced each other.
#4 Gerry Vaughan (11-7) vs. #13 Rene Quiroz (0-4)
Rough first match for Quiroz as Vaughan is a sure-bet in the first round. Vaughan’s quest for a 6th straight trip to the Final Four begins here.
Previous meeting: Have never faced each other.
#5 Clint Crump (13-10) vs. #12 Tim Joe (2-10)
In the 10 editions of the tournament Crump has never lost his opening match. Tim Joe’s only non-forfeit win was against none other than Crump.
Previous meeting: As a 3-seed Joe defeated #5 Crump in the 2005 quarterfinals.
#6 Walter Vargas (9-7) vs. #11 John Frost (2-9)
A rematch of 2011. If not for sinking a 15-foot putt on the final hole, Vargas would have suffered a debilitating upset and choke (he blew a 4-hole lead). Frost’s only 1st round victory is a forfeit win.
Previous meeting: As a 4-seed in 2011 Vargas defeated #13 Frost by final hole tie break.
