2019 MGM Match Play Invitational Preview

 

mgm_matchplay_trophy

 

 

 

 

 

 

• COURSE: Los Feliz Par-3.

• CHECK IN TIME: 7:45am (Sunday June 9)

• FIELD WATCH: With the exception of 5-time former champion Armen Grigorian’s absence, a solid group of golfers will vie for the year’s 2nd major.  Martin Witt is out, still recovering from elbow surgery.

• LAST YEAR: Tournament was cancelled due to insufficient attendance.

• STORYLINES: Chris Moawad, the last winner of the tournament (2017), is seeded #1 and faces #8 Patrick Bird (7-14 career match play record; 10th all-time) for the first time. Moawad, a 2-time champion, is a career 19-10 (3rd all-time) in match play. Should he win Sunday, Moawad would manage the unthinkable; he would not only tie Armen Grigorian for most career wins on Tour, he would also surpass him in career victories in majors.  #4 Doug Vargas (20-9 career; 2nd all-time) faces #5 Gerry Vaughan (13-11 career; 5th all-time). Vargas is 2-1 lifetime versus Vaughan. They last faced one another in the 2013 semi-finals where Vargas prevailed.  #2 Walter Vargas (12-9 career; 6th all-time) faces #7 Tim Joe (3-14 career; T-14th). Vargas is unbeaten (2-0) against Joe, with their last meeting occurring in the first round in 2013.  #3 Clint Crump (15-13 career; 4th all-time) faces #6 Ed Quiroz (3-2 career; T-14th all-time) for the first time.
0

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
2013, Doug Vargas
2014, Travois Gordón
2015, Nik Freitas
2016, Ed Quiroz
2017, Chris Moawad
2018, no tournament held