The first 3 tournaments of 2014 are in the books and Tour players, whether they’re sufficiently warmed up or not, now brace for the season’s first Major. Of the MGM Tour’s 3 Majors, the Match Play Invitational has proven the most exclusive when it comes to its winners. In the past 8 editions only 3 golfers have won this tournament, with Armen Grigorian dominating the event with 5 victories and a 23-5 record versus his opponents.
Last year marked the 10th edition of the Match Play Invitational.
MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS:
2003:
Patrick Bird and Clint Crump both defeated by unheralded Ryan Jonasson.
Winner: Jo Clemente
2005:
In “The Battle of Shoreham” #6 Patrick Bird upset #4 Gerry Vaughan. Vaughan blew a 3-Up lead with 3 holes to play. An accidental tap of his ball on the 2nd hole would prove to be the difference.
Winner: Jo Clemente
2006:
#7 Clint Crump upsets 2-time defending champion and #1 seed Jo Clemente in the semi-finals. Field of 16 most in the tournament’s young history (2008, the only other tournament to feature a 16-man field)
Winner: Armen Grigorian
2007:
#1 Armen Grigorian defeats #2 Doug Vargas on the 2nd hole of sudden death in the championship to successfully defend his title. The playoff stands as the only Finals playoff to date.
2008:
In what continues to stand as the greatest upset in the history of the tournament #14 Travois Gordón defeats #3 Walter Vargas in the first round. After building a 3-hole lead Gordón appeared to be crumbling down the stretch until a fortuitous bounce on the 9th (his shot destined for trouble, instead hit the pin and dropped 3-feet from the hole) saved his victory.
Winner: Chris Moawad
2009:
Brother vs. Brother: #5 Doug Vargas defeats #2 Walter Vargas in the Finals 2and1. It was the only championship to feature both Vargas’s.
2010:
#5 Clint Crump becomes the first golfer in tournament history to win the first 5 holes against his opponent (1st round, vs. #12 Rene Quiroz).
Winner: Armen Grigorian (record 3rd win)
2011:
Armen Grigorian wins back-to-back titles, giving him a record total 4 wins.
2012:
Grigorian 3-peats for record 5th win.
2013:
Feeling disrespected at being a 9 seed Doug Vargas proved the doubters wrong defeating #3 P-Jay Fidler on the final hole of the championship. The win was Vargas’s 2nd Match Play title.
