'97 Review
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World
Match Play Championship
[
History ] [ The Venue ] [ About the Championship ][
1997 Results ] [ Contacts ] [ Home ]The World Match Play Championship has been held for more than thirty years and it is now part of the European PGA Tour for professional golfers. Throughout the four days, spectators have the opportunity to see some of the world's top golfers in action.
History
Golf had it early beginnings in Scotland in the 14th -15th century, and was played by people from all walks of life, including royalty. Mary, queen of Scots, took the game to France. The young men who attended her on the golf links were known as 'cadets' or pupils and from this come the origins of today's caddie!
The first golf associations were established in the 18th century, first in Scotland, then in England. The popularity of the game quickly spread and today, there are hundreds of professional players and millions of amateur players worldwide.
Many of the top professional players have played in the Match Play Championships since it first started in 1964. Ernie Els from South Africa won the Championship in consecutive years from 1993-96. Other notable winners have included Seve Ballesteros and Gary Player, who each won the championship five times; Arnold Palmer who won the first championship; and British players Ian Woosnam (Champion in 1990 and 1987) and Nick Faldo (Champion in 1992 and 1989).
The Championship is held annually at Wentworth in Surrey, 21 miles SW of London. It takes place on the West course.
Twelve players compete for the championship over the four days.
Players
The twelve players include:
The Defending Champion
The winners of the US Masters, the US Open, the US PGA and the British Open Championships
The leading player on the US PGA Tour Money List
The leading player on the PGA European Tour Money List
The leading British player on the PGA European Tour Money List
A leading player from Japan, Australia and South Africa
A young player.
Four players are seeded and they get a bye through to the second round. Traditionally these four players are the current Masters, US and British Open Champions and the defending champion. If any player cannot take part or if there is a duplication because a player holds two titles, then other players are selected or seeded according to the World Rankings and Money Lists. A Money List shows the amount each professional player has earned throughout the golfing season.
The Rounds
To become the Match Play Champion, a player must win a round of 36 holes on each of the four days. The rounds take place as follows:
| First Day | 4 matches | 8 players (4 seeded players get bye to 2nd round) |
| Second Day | 4 matches | Winners of 1st round play seeded players |
| Third Day | 2 matches | Winners of 2nd round |
| Fourth Day | 2 matches | Final of 36 holes and 3/4th play off of 18 holes |
Final: Vijay Singh (Fiji) beat Ernie Els (South Africa) by one hole
Third place playoff: Brad Faxon (USA) beat Nick Price (Zimbabwe) 5&4
For information about the World Match Play Championship, contact:
Tony Greer
World Match Play Championship Office
Pier House
Strand on the Green
Chiswick
London W4 3NN
Tel: 0181 233 5000 Fax: 0181 233 5001
For information about the course, contact:
Wentworth Golf Club
Wentworth Drive
Virginia Water
Surrey GU25 4LS
Tel: 01344 842201 Fax: 01344 842804
Communications Department Tel: 01344 842881 Fax: 01344 842929
[
History ] [ The Venue ] [ About the Championship ][
1997 Results ] [ Contacts ] [ Home ]