2024 Match Play Invitational Preview

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• COURSE: Maggie Hathaway

• CHECK IN TIME: 7:45am, Sunday July 21

• STORYLINES: It’s the first major of the year.  Last season Chris Moawad not only became the 1st golfer to 4-peat this event, he became the first golfer in Tour history to 4-peat any tournament. He is now tied with Armed Grigorian for most Match Play titles (5). It’s been 8 years since a golfer not named Moawad has won Match Play (Ed Quiroz).

Chris Moawad (26-10 record in match play): 4-time defending champion aiming for an incredible 5-peat; 5-1 lifetime vs. W. Vargas and 0-1 vs. Vaughan.
Doug Vargas (22-11): 2-time former champion (2009,2013); did not play last year; 3-0 lifetime vs. Tim Joe and 0-0 vs. Stolz
Walter Vargas (15-12): 4-time finalist (2009, 2012, 2019, 2023); Match Play remains the one major missing from his impressive resumé. 0-1 lifetime vs. Vaughan (3and1 in 2013)
Tim Joe (4-17): only 3 first round victories in 17 career starts; first meeting vs. Stolz
Gerry Vaughan (13-13): from 2007 to 2014 made the final four 6 times in 6 starts, including 1 trip to the finals
Eric Stolz (2-5): last Match Play appearance, 2022 where as a 4-seed upset #2 Walter Vargas in the semi-finals, advancing to the Finals for the first time in his career; lost to defending champion Chris Moawad 3and1

NEW TIE-BREAKER RULE: In the event a match ends all square, golfers will play a sudden death hole(s) until a winner is determined.

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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
2019, Chris Moawad
2020, no tournament held
2021, no tournament held
2022, Chris Moawad
2023, Chris Moawad