UNDISPUTED

Grigorian Impressive In Rare Start

VALENCIA – In a twist of a famous Mark Twain quote, reports of Armen Grigorian’s demise were greatly exaggerated.  Sunday the Tour charter member erased any whispers and doubts about his place as the MGM Tour’s best golfer after winning the season ending Tour Championship. Despite missing 21 tournaments over the past 4 seasons (including playing a career low 1 tournament last year), Grigorian shot a course record 77 and had those watching marveling at his game.  “You couldn’t tell he missed a [tournament] said 4-time Tour Champion Chris Moawad who held the previous course record.  “He was on fire. He was dropping putts from all over the green. Everything [he did] was great.  He was just solid. It’s amazing.” Asked what this victory says about his game Grigorian responded, “I think it speaks to the value of the mind because I come in after a long break without any expectations. This is what happens.” And, giving the rest of the Tour pause, he added, “I feel more confident now than ever.”

2016 TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL SCORES

QUICK CHIPS:

Complete set: A 5-time match play champion and 2-time Masters champion, Armen Grigorian was missing the Tour Championship to complete the career slam in majors. He now joins Doug Vargas and Chris Moawad as the only golfers to accomplish the feat… Career leader: with 8 wins in majors, Grigorian is now the Tour leader… New records: Grigorian’s 77 set a new course record by 2 strokes (Moawad, 2013) ) and his front-9 36 bested the old record (Fidler, 2013) by 8 strokes… Leaders: Pars (6) Grigorian, followed by Moawad (4); Bogeys: 9 by Moawad and Frost is a new course record… Tweet-tweet: 3 golfers (Grigorian, Moawad, E. Quiroz) carded birdies, splitting the $15 birdie pool rolled over from Devil Ball… Continuing trend: Since its expansion in 2011 to a long course format the Tour Championship has produced 6 different winners… 100: Chris Moawad became the 2nd golfer (Tim Joe) to reach 100 career starts… Perfect Attendance: Following his start in the Tour Championship, John Frost became the only golfer to play all 9 tournaments this season.

CHRIS MOAWAD
2016 PLAYER OF THE YEAR

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Vista Valencia is officially Chris Moawad’s favorite golf course, or as the Huntington beach resident pointed out, “worth the drive”.  Though he didn’t win the season ending Tour Championship (he came close at 3 strokes back) his finish earned him a record-extending 4th Player of the Year honor.  Like 2013 at Vista Valencia, Moawad entered the Tour Championship 2nd in the player rankings only to snatch the #1 spot at the end.  Making this latest prize even more special was that it came in the 100th tournament of his career. “It’s just the cherry on top, it’s a great feeling,” said a beaming Moawad who, along with 2 victories, finished in the top-3 in all but one tournament he played this season.

‘That’s golf for you’

In 2013 Doug Vargas, on the verge of his first Player of the Year, met disappointment at the Tour Championship as Chris Moawad lifted the top spot from him. This year, season-long leader Ed Quiroz was denied his first as well. “I’m disappointed. Obviously I wish I kept the lead the whole season. Unfortunately I missed the last tournament (Survivor) but that’s the way it happens, you know?” said a sporting Quiroz. “Who knows what could have happened [if I played the Survivor] but it’s all good.  Chris is really good, and today he stuck with it and I kinda lost my marbles a little bit. That’s the way it is. That’s golf for you.”

2016 FINAL RANKINGS