Memories abound of Match Play
AUSTIN, Texas — The end of the World Golf Championships was a matter of time, especially with the arrival next year of smaller fields and enormous prize money for the elite players.
What stings is losing the Match Play.
The tournament began in 1999 at La Costa in California. If that seems like a long time ago, consider that Tiger Woods had only one major when he beat sixtime major champion Nick Faldo in the opening round. “I’m not going to feel sorry for him. He’s had his chances to win tournaments,” Woods said. He was 23 and already ruthless.
The final version takes place this week at Austin Country Club. It has moved to five other courses and the format has switched from single elimination to group play. What hasn’t changed are memories that have left a mark on the most fickle event in golf.
Gene Sarazen was 97 and watching from his home when Jeff Maggert won the inaugural event in 38 holes. It reminded Sarazen of his 1923 PGA Championship win over Walter Hagen.
“I went 38 holes with Hagen, just like Jeff Maggert went 38 holes with ... what was the name of the player he beat?” he asked.
It was Andrew Magee. And it was the first indication Match Play rarely went according to plan.
The seeds of the first four champs: 24, 19, 55, 62.
Stephen Ames had his clubs shipped to Tucson, Ariz., for an opposite-field event in 2006, but then he got into the Match Play when Thomas Bjorn withdrew. He was on the range at La Costa with a set of backup clubs when two reporters approached and asked him about having to play Woods, the No. 1 seed, in the opening round.
“Anything can happen, especially where he’s hitting the ball,” Ames said with a smile.
He quickly pointed at the reporters to make clear he was joking, yet sensing this was not going to be received well.
Ames was on the receiving end two days later. Woods beat him, 9 and 8.
Match Play moved to Dove Mountain in the high desert of Arizona the following year. Ames, the No. 39 seed in 2007, played Robert Karlsson in the first round. He beat the Swede so badly that Ames didn’t realize the match was over when he chipped in for birdie on the 11th.
One year after losing in 10 holes, Ames won 8 and 7.
Most telling was the phone call to his wife. She was surprised to hear from him so soon and wanted to know if he was able to catch a flight home that night.
“I won’t be coming home tonight,” he told her.
Woods holds the record for most titles (3) and most matches won (36). The best winning percentage belongs to Geoff Ogilvy, who was 20-5 in seven appearances.
For all the amazing shots in Match Play, the best came from the guy who didn’t win.
Victor Dubuisson of France was in extra holes with Jason Day at Dove Mountain in 2014 when he somehow slashed his golf ball out of a cactus and a desert bush — not just once, but twice — to stay in the match before losing on the 23rd hole.