TORCH PASSED(?)
Moawad Makes His Case For Tour’s Best Golfer
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Since the MGM Tour’s inception Armen Grigorian has presided as its undisputed best golfer. In 2005 he became the Tour’s all-time leader in victories, an achievement that seemed to be taken for granted and set for perpetuity. Last month, though, after 14 years Grigorian’s Tour lead for victories was finally matched. Chris Moawad’s successful title defense in Match Play was the 25th victory of his career, tying Grigorian on the all-time career wins list. It also gave him a Tour best 9th win in a major, 1 more than Grigorian. 
The feat was not lost on the 14-year veteran. “It’s a great accomplishment. Like Walter said, [Armen’s] been absent lately but [as has been pointed out] there was a Tour here before I got here too, so I just take it in stride. I’m proud of it, and it’s a big accomplishment in my mind because Armen is a great player. He’s always on top. I wish I would see him out here more, love the guy, and he brings a whole different level to the tournaments, so I hope he gets back out.”
Matching Grigorian for most victories and surpassing him for wins in majors, a record 5-time Player of the Year (4 times in the last 7 years), with another likely at the end of this season, it would appear that Chris Moawad has assumed the mantle as the Tour’s marquee golfer. Walter Vargas, who Moawad defeated to win his 3rd Match Play title is convinced. “Oh [the torch] had been passed a while back when Armen stopped showing up [regularly] and Chris’s been tearing it up, so kudos to him. He’s been consistent, he’s been playing a lot of the tournaments, and when he shows up he’s always the #1 guy to beat.”
QUICK CHIPS
Match Play figures: Chris Moawad’s 3rd Match Play title moved him into sole possession of 2nd (Grigorian, the all-time leader with 5). He also passed Doug Vargas into 2nd place for most match victories (22). Doug Vargas tied Armen Grigorian for most final four appearances (9)… Milestones: All-time career tournament start leaders Chris Moawad and Tim Joe played their 120th tournament… Rollin’: a 2-time winner this season, Chris Moawad has finished top-3 in every event he’s started and looks primed for a record-extending 6th Player of the Year award.
THE RACE TO TERRANEA
Charly Classic
Devil Ball Shootout
The Masters
Hooters
Hooters
Match Play
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STANDINGS
| CUR | PREV | PLAYER | EVENTS | POINTS | WINS | # OF TOP-3's | BEHIND LEAD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | MOAWAD | 4 | 398 | 2 | 4 | |
| 2 | 3 | W. Vargas | 4 | 356 | 2 | 3 | -42 |
| 3 | 1 | Crump | 5 | 332 | 1 | 2 | -66 |
| 4 | 4 | D. Vargas | 4 | 310 | 0 | 2 | -88 |
| T5 | 5 | Bird | 5 | 276 | 0 | 1 | -122 |
| T5 | 7 | T. Joe | 4 | 276 | 1 | 1 | -122 |
| 7 | 7 | Vaughan | 4 | 268 | 0 | 2 | -130 |
| 8 | 11 | Quiroz | 4 | 184 | 0 | 1 | -214 |
| 9 | 8 | Grigorian | 2 | 120 | 0 | 1 | -278 |
| 10 | 9 | Witt | 3 | 118 | 0 | 0 | -280 |
| 11 | 10 | Mann | 1 | 106 | 0 | 1 | -292 |