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{{use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox_Golf_Tournament
{{Infobox golf tournament
|tournament_name = World Match Play Championship
| name = World Match Play Championship
|image =
| image =
|location = {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Andalusia]], [[Spain]]
| location = [[Ash, Sevenoaks District|Ash]], [[Kent]], England
|establishment = 1964
| establishment = 1964
|course = Finca Cortesín Golf Club
| final_year = 2014
|par = 72
| course = [[London Golf Club]]
|yardage = 7,439
| par = 72
|tour = [[European Tour]]
| yardage = {{convert|7204|yd|m}}
|format = [[Match play]]
|purse = [[Euro|€]] 3,250,000
| purse = {{currency|2,250,000|EUR}}
| tour = [[European Tour]] (since 2004)
|month_played = September
| org = [[IMG (company)|IMG]]
|defunct = <!--optional-->
| format = [[Match play]]
|aggregate =
| month_played = October
|to-par =
|score = 10 &amp; 8 [[Paul Casey]] (2006)
| score = 10 and 8 [[Paul Casey]] (2006)
|Current Champion = {{flagicon|RSA}} [[Ernie Els]]</br><small>''Last played in 2007''</small>
| final_champion = {{flagicon|FIN}} [[Mikko Ilonen]]
| map = England#United Kingdom Kent
| map_label = London GC
| map_caption = Location in [[England]]##Location in [[Kent]]
| map_relief = yes
| map_label_position =
| map_size = 200
| coordinates = {{coord|51.19|0.73}}
}}
}}
The '''Volvo World Match Play Championship''' was an annual [[match play]] men's professional [[golf]] tournament which was staged from 1964 to 2014.


The '''Volvo World Match Play Championship''' is the current name of an annual [[match play]] men's professional [[golf]] tournament. From 2009 the event will be played at the Finca Cortesín Golf Club in [[Casares]] near [[Málaga]], [[Spain]], having previously been played at [[Wentworth Club]] near [[London]]. The event is traditionally played in the autumn, usually in October but sometimes in September, and is an official money event on the [[European Tour]]. Previous sponsors have included [[Piccadilly]], [[Suntory]], [[Toyota]], [[Cisco Systems|Cisco]] and [[HSBC]].
The World Match Play Championship was a limited field event, originally contested by just eight players before being expanded to sixteen in 1977, and to 24 in 2011. In 2004 it became an official tournament on the [[European Tour]] for the first time, having previously been a designated "approved special event". The event was traditionally played in the autumn, usually in October, but moved to a May date in 2011. Previous sponsors have included [[Piccadilly]], [[Suntory]], [[Toyota]], [[Cisco Systems|Cisco]], [[HSBC]] and [[Volvo]].

The [[Wentworth Club]] near [[London]] was host venue for the World Match Play for the first 45 years. From 2009 to 2012 the event was played at the Finca Cortesín Golf Club in [[Casares, Málaga|Casares]] near [[Málaga]], [[Spain]]. In 2013, the event was held at the [[Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach Resort]] in [[Kavarna]], [[Bulgaria]], and in 2014, it was held at the [[London Golf Club]] in [[Kent]], England.


==History==
==History==
The tournament was founded by [[sports agent]], [[Mark McCormack]], as a showcase for the players he managed. The inaugural event in 1964 was won by [[Arnold Palmer]], who was McCormack's first client. The calibre of the winners has consistently been very high, with the majority of the tournaments being won by players who have been ranked in the top two in the [[Official World Golf Ranking]] or its predecessor [[Mark McCormack's world golf rankings]].
The tournament was founded by [[sports agent]] [[Mark McCormack]] as a showcase for the players he managed. The inaugural event in 1964 was won by [[Arnold Palmer]], who was McCormack's first client. The calibre of the winners has consistently been very high, with the majority of the tournaments being won by players who have been ranked in the top two in the [[Official World Golf Ranking]] or its predecessor [[Mark McCormack's world golf rankings]].


The event consists of 36-hole matches played in a single day. For many years it was a twelve man event, with four seeded players being given a bye in the first round. It was sometimes felt that this was unfair, as an unseeded player needed to string together eight successful rounds in four days to win, twice as many as in a [[stroke play]] tournament, whereas a seeded player only needed six successful rounds to win.
The event consisted of 36-hole matches played in a single day. The event had an eight-man field from 1964 to 1976. It expanded to 16 players for 1977 and 1978. In 1979, the field was 12 players, with four seeded players being given a bye in the first round. It was sometimes felt that this was unfair, as an unseeded player needed to string together eight successful rounds in four days to win, twice as many as in a [[stroke play]] tournament, whereas a seeded player only needed six successful rounds to win.


For its first forty years the tournament was an unofficial one, highly regarded by golf fans in Britain and many other countries outside the United States, popular with players, and happily coexisting with the [[PGA European Tour|European Tour]], at whose home course it is played, but not taken into account on an official tour money list, and offering no [[Official World Golf Rankings|World Ranking Points]]. The introduction in 1999 of the 64-man [[WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship]], which selected its field on the basis of the World Rankings, was a blow to the prestige of the older event, whose exhibitional aspects, with a small invited field, were emphasised by contrast.
For its first 40 years the tournament was an unofficial one, highly regarded by golf fans in Britain and many other countries outside the United States, popular with players, and happily coexisting with the [[European Tour]], at whose home course it was played, but not taken into account on an official tour money list. The introduction in 1999 of the 64-man [[WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship]], which selected its field on the basis of the World Rankings, was a blow to the prestige of the older event, whose exhibition aspects, with a small invited field, were emphasised by contrast.


In 2003, the tournament was given a major overhaul. Greatly increased sponsorship was secured from the largest British based bank, [[HSBC]], and the winner's prize was increased to £1 million, which was then easily the largest in world golf (although the [[Nedbank Golf Challenge]] had had a $2 million first prize from 2000 to 2002).
In 2003, the tournament was given a major overhaul. Greatly increased sponsorship was secured from the largest British based bank, [[HSBC]], and the winner's prize was increased to £1 million, which was then easily the largest in world golf (although the [[Nedbank Golf Challenge]] had had a $2 million first prize from 2000-02). In 2004, the field was increased to sixteen players, all of whom need to play eight rounds of golf to win, to eliminate the advantage previously given to seeds. A qualifying system based primarily on performances in the four [[Men's major golf championships|majors]], replaced the invitations of the past. World ranking points were allocated to the event (for the first time since 1999<ref>[http://www.golftoday.co.uk/news/yeartodate/news99/notes15sep.html World Rankings are refined, but still confusing]</ref>), and the championship became an official money European Tour Order of Merit event - not however the actual prize money, as the first prize is far higher than for the other events on the tour, but scaled down amounts intended to be more proportionate. In recent years Americans have tended to decline their invitations. In 2005, no Americans took part at all, and with stalwart [[Ernie Els]] injured and [[Vijay Singh]] and [[Sergio García]] also absent, the field was one of the weakest seen at the event, with just one player from the [[Official World Golf Rankings|world top ten]]. The 2006 event had a considerably stronger field with six of the world's top ten players headed by the world's top two ranked players [[Tiger Woods]] and [[Jim Furyk]]. But in January 2007 HSBC activated a break clause in its ten year contract and withdrew from sponsorship after the 2007 event.<ref>[http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/161220/don-t-bank-on-hsbc-for-world-match-play Don't Bank on HSBC], ''sportbusiness.com'', [[31 January]] 2007.</ref>


In 2004, the championship became an official money European Tour event - not, however, the actual prize money, as the first prize was far higher than for the other events on the tour, but scaled-down amounts intended to be more proportionate. The field was increased to 16 players, all of whom needed to play eight rounds of golf to win, to eliminate the advantage previously given to seeds. A qualifying system, based primarily on performances in the four [[Men's major golf championships|majors]], replaced the invitations of the past. World ranking points were allocated to the event for the first time since 1999.<ref>[http://www.golftoday.co.uk/news/yeartodate/news99/notes15sep.html World Rankings are refined, but still confusing]</ref>
==The current Championship==

After HSBC withdrew its sponsorship in 2007, the tournament was given another major overhaul. After a break in 2008, the tournament will return in 2009 with [[Volvo]] as the new title sponsor.<ref>[http://www.europeantour.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7B5A258B31%2D8294%2D4C0E%2DB8B9%2DA796F6009E52%7D&newsid=6612348&date=6%2D23%2D2008&listPageName=ET+TourNews+%2D+Latest+News Volvo Named Sponsors of World Match Play Championship], ''europeantour.com'', [[23 June]] 2008.</ref> The event will also move from Wentworth to the Finca Cortesín Golf Club near [[Málaga]] in [[Spain]]. There will also be a change in format, which will see the 16 players divided into four groups and playing each other in a round robin format. The winner of each group will qualify for the 36-hole semi-finals, which will decide the finalists on Sunday. The qualifying criteria has also been changed to include certain players based on their nationality and ensure that the event has a worldwide feel. The total prize money for 2009 will be €3,250,000, with €750,000 of that going to the winner.
In recent years, Americans have tended to decline their invitations. In 2005, no Americans took part at all, and with stalwart [[Ernie Els]] injured and [[Vijay Singh]] and [[Sergio García]] also absent, the field was one of the weakest seen at the event, with just one player from the [[Official World Golf Ranking|world top ten]]. The 2006 event had a considerably stronger field with six of the world's top ten players headed by the world's top two ranked players [[Tiger Woods]] and [[Jim Furyk]]. But in January 2007 HSBC activated a break clause in its ten-year contract and withdrew from sponsorship after the 2007 event.<ref>[http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/161220/don-t-bank-on-hsbc-for-world-match-play Don't Bank on HSBC], ''sportbusiness.com'', 31 January 2007.</ref>

After HSBC withdrew its sponsorship in 2007, the tournament was given another major overhaul. After a break in 2008, the tournament returned in 2009 with [[Volvo]] as the new title sponsor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.europeantour.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7B5A258B31%2D8294%2D4C0E%2DB8B9%2DA796F6009E52%7D&newsid=6612348&date=6%2D23%2D2008&listPageName=ET+TourNews+%2D+Latest+News |title=Volvo Named Sponsors of World Match Play Championship |publisher=European Tour |date=23 June 2008}}</ref> The event moved from Wentworth to the Finca Cortesín Golf Club near [[Málaga]] in [[Spain]]. The format switched to an opening round robin, with 16 players divided into four groups and the winners advancing to the 36-hole semi-finals. The qualifying criteria were also changed to include certain players based on their nationality. The total prize money for 2009 was €3,250,000, with €750,000 of that going to the winner.

After another break in 2010, the tournament returned in May 2011, several months earlier than the traditional date in autumn. The field was expanded to 24 players, split into eight groups, playing in a round robin format. The top two players from each group would progress to the knockout stage. Unlike previous years, all matches would be played over 18 holes. The total prize money for 2011 was €3,400,000, with €800,000 of that going to the winner.

In 2013, the event was held in [[Bulgaria]], becoming the first European Tour event in Bulgaria, as Volvo had requested that the championship be moved to geographical areas of interest for the company and therefore the event will be rotated around Europe.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/8537086/bulgaria-host-1st-ever-european-tour-event |title=Bulgaria to host European Tour |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=22 October 2012}}</ref> In 2014, the event was played in October at London Golf Club in [[Kent]], England. Prior to the tournament Volvo announced they were withdrawing their support as they reduced their sponsorship commitments on the European Tour.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12040/9509318/european-tour-volvo-withdraw-sponsorship-of-two-events |title=European Tour: Volvo withdraw sponsorship of two events |website=Sky Sports |date=8 October 2014 |access-date=21 June 2020}}</ref>


==Winners==
==Winners==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%"
!Year
!Year
!Tour{{efn|EUR − [[European Tour]].}}
!Player
!Winner
!Country
!Runner-Up
!Country
!Score
!Score
!Runner-up
|-
|-
!colspan=6 |Volvo World Match Play Championship
!colspan=5 |Volvo World Match Play Championship
|-
|-
| [[2014 Volvo World Match Play Championship|2014]] || [[2014 European Tour|EUR]] || {{flagicon|FIN}} [[Mikko Ilonen]] || align=center|3 and 1 || {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Henrik Stenson]]
| 2009 ||colspan=5 |''24-27 September''
|-
|-
| [[2013 Volvo World Match Play Championship|2013]] || [[2013 European Tour|EUR]] || {{flagicon|NIR}} [[Graeme McDowell]] || align=center|2 and 1 || {{flagicon|THA}} [[Thongchai Jaidee]]
| 2008 ||colspan=5 |''No tournament''
|-
|-
| [[2012 Volvo World Match Play Championship|2012]] || [[2012 European Tour|EUR]] || {{flagicon|BEL}} [[Nicolas Colsaerts]] || align=center|1 up || {{flagicon|NIR}} [[Graeme McDowell]]
!colspan=6 |HSBC World Match Play Championship
|-
|-
| [[2007 HSBC World Match Play Championship|2007]] || [[Ernie Els]] || {{RSA}} || [[Ángel Cabrera]] || {{ARG}} || 6 & 4
| [[2011 Volvo World Match Play Championship|2011]] || [[2011 European Tour|EUR]] || {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ian Poulter]] || align=center|2 and 1 || {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Luke Donald]]
|-
|-
| colspan=5 align=center|''2010: No tournament''
| 2006 || [[Paul Casey]] || {{ENG}} || [[Shaun Micheel]] || {{USA}} || 10 & 8
|-
|-
| [[2009 Volvo World Match Play Championship|2009]] || [[2009 European Tour|EUR]] || {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ross Fisher]] || align=center|4 and 3 || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Anthony Kim]]
| 2005 || [[Michael Campbell]] || {{NZL}} || [[Paul McGinley]] || {{IRL}} || 2 & 1
|-
|-
!colspan=5 |World Match Play Championship
| 2004 || [[Ernie Els]] || {{RSA}} || [[Lee Westwood]] || {{ENG}} || 2 & 1
|-
|-
| 2008 || [[2008 European Tour|EUR]] || colspan=3 align=center|''Cancelled due to lack of sponsorship''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/2303878/Matchplays-44-year-run-at-Wentworth-ends.html |title=Matchplay's 44-year run at Wentworth ends |website=The Telegraph |first=Lewine |last=Mair |date=23 June 2008 |access-date=6 May 2020}}</ref>
| 2003 || [[Ernie Els]] || {{RSA}} || [[Thomas Bjørn]] || {{DEN}} || 4 & 3
|-
|-
!colspan=6 |Cisco World Match Play Championship
!colspan=5 |HSBC World Match Play Championship
|-
|-
| [[2007 HSBC World Match Play Championship|2007]] || [[2007 European Tour|EUR]] || {{flagicon|ZAF}} [[Ernie Els]] (7) || align=center|6 and 4 || {{flagicon|ARG}} [[Ángel Cabrera]]
| 2002 || [[Ernie Els]] || {{RSA}} || [[Sergio García]] || {{ESP}} || 2 & 1
|-
|-
| [[2006 HSBC World Match Play Championship|2006]] || [[2006 European Tour|EUR]] || {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Paul Casey]] || align=center|10 and 8 || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Shaun Micheel]]
| 2001 || [[Ian Woosnam]] || {{WAL}} || [[Pádraig Harrington]] || {{IRL}} || 2 & 1
|-
|-
| [[2005 HSBC World Match Play Championship|2005]] || [[2005 European Tour|EUR]] || {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Michael Campbell]] || align=center|2 and 1 || {{flagicon|IRL}} [[Paul McGinley]]
| 2000 || [[Lee Westwood]] || {{ENG}} || [[Colin Montgomerie]] || {{SCO}} || 38 holes
|-
|-
| [[2004 HSBC World Match Play Championship|2004]] || [[2004 European Tour|EUR]] || {{flagicon|ZAF}} [[Ernie Els]] (6) || align=center|2 and 1 || {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Lee Westwood]]
| 1999 || [[Colin Montgomerie]] || {{SCO}} || [[Mark O'Meara]] || {{USA}} || 3 & 2
|-
|-
| 1998 || [[Mark O'Meara]] || {{USA}} || [[Tiger Woods]] || {{USA}} || 1 up
| 2003 || || {{flagicon|ZAF}} [[Ernie Els]] (5) || align=center|4 and 3 || {{flagicon|DNK}} [[Thomas Bjørn]]
|-
|-
!colspan=6 |Toyota World Match Play Championship
!colspan=5 |Cisco World Match Play Championship
|-
|-
| 1997 || [[Vijay Singh]] || {{FJI}} || [[Ernie Els]] || {{RSA}} || 1 up
| 2002 || || {{flagicon|ZAF}} [[Ernie Els]] (4) || align=center|2 and 1 || {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Sergio García]]
|-
|-
| 1996 || [[Ernie Els]] || {{RSA}} || [[Vijay Singh]] || {{FJI}} || 3 & 2
| 2001 || || {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Ian Woosnam]] (3) || align=center|2 and 1 || {{flagicon|IRL}} [[Pádraig Harrington]]
|-
|-
| 1995 || [[Ernie Els]] || {{RSA}} || [[Steve Elkington]] || {{AUS}} || 3 & 1
| 2000 || || {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Lee Westwood]] || align=center|38 holes || {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Colin Montgomerie]]
|-
|-
| 1994 || [[Ernie Els]] || {{RSA}} || [[Colin Montgomerie]] || {{SCO}} || 4 & 2
| 1999 || || {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Colin Montgomerie]] || align=center|3 and 2 || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Mark O'Meara]]
|-
|-
| 1993 || [[Corey Pavin]] || {{USA}} || [[Nick Faldo]] || {{ENG}} || 1 up
| 1998 || || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Mark O'Meara]] || align=center|1 up || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tiger Woods]]
|-
|-
!colspan=5 |Toyota World Match Play Championship
| 1992 || [[Nick Faldo]] || {{ENG}} || [[Jeff Sluman]] || {{USA}} || 8 & 7
|-
|-
| 1991 || [[Seve Ballesteros]] || {{ESP}} || [[Nick Price]] || {{ZIM}} || 3 & 2
| 1997 || || {{flagicon|FIJ}} [[Vijay Singh]] || align=center|1 up || {{flagicon|ZAF}} [[Ernie Els]]
|-
|-
| 1996 || || {{flagicon|ZAF}} [[Ernie Els]] (3) || align=center|3 and 2 || {{flagicon|FJI}} [[Vijay Singh]]
!colspan=6 |Suntory World Match Play Championship
|-
|-
| 1990 || [[Ian Woosnam]] || {{WAL}} || [[Mark McNulty]] || {{ZIM}} || 4 & 2
| 1995 || || {{flagicon|ZAF}} [[Ernie Els]] (2) || align=center|3 and 1 || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Steve Elkington]]
|-
|-
| 1989 || [[Nick Faldo]] || {{ENG}} || [[Ian Woosnam]] || {{WAL}} || 1 up
| 1994 || || {{flagicon|ZAF}} [[Ernie Els]] || align=center|4 and 2 || {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Colin Montgomerie]]
|-
|-
| 1988 || [[Sandy Lyle]] || {{SCO}} || [[Nick Faldo]] || {{ENG}} || 2 & 1
| 1993 || || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Corey Pavin]] || align=center|1 up || {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Nick Faldo]]
|-
|-
| 1987 || [[Ian Woosnam]] || {{WAL}} || [[Sandy Lyle]] || {{SCO}} || 1 up
| 1992 || || {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Nick Faldo]] (2) || align=center|8 and 7 || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jeff Sluman]]
|-
|-
| 1986 || [[Greg Norman]] || {{AUS}} || [[Sandy Lyle]] || {{SCO}} || 2 & 1
| 1991 || || {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Seve Ballesteros]] (5) || align=center|3 and 2 || {{flagicon|ZWE}} [[Nick Price]]
|-
|-
!colspan=5 |Suntory World Match Play Championship
| 1985 || [[Seve Ballesteros]] || {{ESP}} || [[Bernhard Langer]] || {{GER}} || 6 & 5
|-
|-
| 1984 || [[Seve Ballesteros]] || {{ESP}} || [[Bernhard Langer]] || {{GER}} || 2 & 1
| 1990 || || {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Ian Woosnam]] (2) || align=center|4 and 2 || {{flagicon|ZWE}} [[Mark McNulty]]
|-
|-
| 1983 || [[Greg Norman]] || {{AUS}} || [[Nick Faldo]] || {{ENG}} || 3 & 2
| 1989 || || {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Nick Faldo]] || align=center|1 up || {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Ian Woosnam]]
|-
|-
| 1982 || [[Seve Ballesteros]] || {{ESP}} || [[Sandy Lyle]] || {{SCO}} || 37 holes
| 1988 || || {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Sandy Lyle]] || align=center|2 and 1 || {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Nick Faldo]]
|-
|-
| 1981 || [[Seve Ballesteros]] || {{ESP}} || [[Ben Crenshaw]] || {{USA}} || 1 up
| 1987 || || {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Ian Woosnam]] || align=center|1 up || {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Sandy Lyle]]
|-
|-
| 1980 || [[Greg Norman]] || {{AUS}} || [[Sandy Lyle]] || {{SCO}} || 1 up
| 1986 || || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Greg Norman]] (3) || align=center|2 and 1 || {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Sandy Lyle]]
|-
|-
| 1985 || || {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Seve Ballesteros]] (4) || align=center|6 and 5 || {{flagicon|DEU}} [[Bernhard Langer]]
| 1979 || [[Bill Rogers (golfer)|Bill Rogers]] || {{USA}} || [[Isao Aoki]] || {{JPN}} || 1 up
|-
| 1984 || || {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Seve Ballesteros]] (3) || align=center|2 and 1 || {{flagicon|DEU}} [[Bernhard Langer]]
|-
| 1983 || || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Greg Norman]] (2) || align=center|3 and 2 || {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Nick Faldo]]
|-
| 1982 || || {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Seve Ballesteros]] (2) || align=center|37 holes || {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Sandy Lyle]]
|-
| 1981 || || {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Seve Ballesteros]] || align=center|1 up || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ben Crenshaw]]
|-
| 1980 || || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Greg Norman]] || align=center|1 up || {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Sandy Lyle]]
|-
| 1979 || || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Bill Rogers (golfer)|Bill Rogers]] || align=center|1 up || {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Isao Aoki]]
|-
|-
!colspan=6 |Colgate World Match Play Championship
!colspan=6 |Colgate World Match Play Championship
|-
|-
| 1978 || [[Isao Aoki]] || {{JPN}} || [[Simon Owen]] || {{NZL}} || 3 & 2
| 1978 || || {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Isao Aoki]] || align=center|3 and 2 || {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Simon Owen]]
|-
|-
| 1977 || [[Graham Marsh]] || {{AUS}} || [[Raymond Floyd]] || {{USA}} || 5 & 3
| 1977 || || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Graham Marsh]] || align=center|5 and 3 || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Raymond Floyd]]
|-
|-
!colspan=6 |Piccadilly World Match Play Championship
!colspan=6 |Piccadilly World Match Play Championship
|-
|-
| 1976 || [[David Graham (golfer)|David Graham]] || {{AUS}} || [[Hale Irwin]] || {{USA}} || 38 holes
| [[1976 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship|1976]] || || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[David Graham (golfer)|David Graham]] || align=center|38 holes || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Hale Irwin]]
|-
|-
| 1975 || [[Hale Irwin]] || {{USA}} || [[Al Geiberger]] || {{USA}} || 4 & 2
| [[1975 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship|1975]] || || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Hale Irwin]] (2) || align=center|4 and 2 || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Al Geiberger]]
|-
|-
| 1974 || [[Hale Irwin]] || {{USA}} || [[Gary Player]] || {{flagcountry|South Africa|1928}} || 3 & 1
| [[1974 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship|1974]] || || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Hale Irwin]] || align=center|3 and 1 || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} [[Gary Player]]
|-
|-
| 1973 || [[Gary Player]] || {{flagcountry|South Africa|1928}} || [[Graham Marsh]] || {{AUS}} || 40 holes
| [[1973 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship|1973]] || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} [[Gary Player]] (5) || align=center|40 holes || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Graham Marsh]]
|-
|-
| 1972 || [[Tom Weiskopf]] || {{USA}} || [[Lee Trevino]] || {{USA}} || 4 & 3
| [[1972 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship|1972]] || || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tom Weiskopf]] || align=center|4 and 3 || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Lee Trevino]]
|-
|-
| 1971 || [[Gary Player]] || {{flagcountry|South Africa|1928}} || [[Jack Nicklaus]] || {{USA}} || 5 & 4
| [[1971 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship|1971]] || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} [[Gary Player]] (4) || align=center|5 and 4 || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jack Nicklaus]]
|-
|-
| 1970 || [[Jack Nicklaus]] || {{USA}} || [[Lee Trevino]] || {{USA}} || 2 & 1
| [[1970 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship|1970]] || || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jack Nicklaus]] || align=center|2 and 1 || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Lee Trevino]]
|-
|-
| 1969 || [[Bob Charles (golfer)|Bob Charles]] || {{NZL}} || [[Gene Littler]] || {{USA}} || 37 holes
| [[1969 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship|1969]] || || {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Bob Charles (golfer)|Bob Charles]] || align=center|37 holes || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Gene Littler]]
|-
|-
| 1968 || [[Gary Player]] || {{flagcountry|South Africa|1928}} || [[Bob Charles (golfer)|Bob Charles]] || {{NZL}} || 1 up
| [[1968 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship|1968]] || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} [[Gary Player]] (3) || align=center|1 up || {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Bob Charles (golfer)|Bob Charles]]
|-
|-
| 1967 || [[Arnold Palmer]] || {{USA}} || [[Peter Thomson (Australian golfer)|Peter Thomson]] || {{AUS}} || 1 up
| [[1967 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship|1967]] || || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Arnold Palmer]] (2) || align=center|1 up || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Peter Thomson (golfer)|Peter Thomson]]
|-
|-
| 1966 || [[Gary Player]] || {{flagcountry|South Africa|1928}} || [[Jack Nicklaus]] || {{USA}} || 6 & 4
| [[1966 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship|1966]] || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} [[Gary Player]] (2) || align=center|6 and 4 || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jack Nicklaus]]
|-
|-
| 1965 || [[Gary Player]] || {{flagcountry|South Africa|1928}} || [[Peter Thomson (Australian golfer)|Peter Thomson]] || {{AUS}} || 3 & 2
| [[1965 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship|1965]] || || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} [[Gary Player]] || align=center|3 and 2 || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Peter Thomson (golfer)|Peter Thomson]]
|-
| 1964 || [[Arnold Palmer]] || {{USA}} || [[Neil Coles]] || {{ENG}} || 2 & 1
|-
|-
| [[1964 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship|1964]] || || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Arnold Palmer]] || align=center|2 and 1 || {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Neil Coles]]
|}
|}


==Multiple winners==
==Multiple winners==
Through the 2007 event, the following players have won the World Match Play Championship more than once:
The following players have won the World Match Play Championship more than once:


{| class="wikitable"
* 7 times: Ernie Els
!Wins
* 5 times: Seve Ballesteros and Gary Player
!Player
* 3 times: Greg Norman and Ian Woosnam
!Years won
* 2 times: Nick Faldo, Hale Irwin and Arnold Palmer
|-
|align=center|7 || {{flagicon|ZAF}} [[Ernie Els]] || 1994, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007
|-
|align=center|5 || {{flagicon|ZAF|1928}} [[Gary Player]] || 1965, 1966, 1968, 1971, 1973
|-
|align=center|5 || {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Seve Ballesteros]] || 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1991
|-
|align=center|3 || {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Greg Norman]] || 1980, 1983, 1986
|-
|align=center|3 || {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Ian Woosnam]] || 1987, 1990, 2001
|-
|align=center|2 || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Arnold Palmer]] || 1964, 1967
|-
|align=center|2 || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Hale Irwin]] || 1974, 1975
|-
|align=center|2 || {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Nick Faldo]] || 1989, 1992
|}


==Qualification criteria==
==Qualification criteria==
For the 2014 championship, the qualification criteria were as follows:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.volvoworldmatchplay.com/content/qualification-criteria |title=Volvo World Match Play - Qualification Criteria |access-date=2012-03-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401051752/http://www.volvoworldmatchplay.com/content/qualification-criteria |archive-date=2012-04-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Beginning in 2009, this will be the qualification criteria for the championship:

1. Defending champion. ([[Ernie Els]])

2. The leading player, based upon their nationality, listed on the [[Official World Golf Ranking]], from each of the following regions:

* Europe
* Africa/Middle East
* North America
* South America
* Asia
* Australasia

3. The leading 4 players (not otherwise qualified) from the [[Official World Golf Ranking]].

4. The leading 4 players (not otherwise qualified) from The [[European Tour Order of Merit]].


5. The [[Volvo China Open]] champion
#Defending champion
#The winner of the 2013 European Tour [[Race to Dubai]]
#The winner of the 2014 [[Volvo Golf Champions]]
#The winner of the 2014 [[Volvo China Open]]
#The winner of the 2014 [[Scottish Open (golf)|Scottish Open]]
#The leading three available players, not otherwise exempt above, from the [[Official World Golf Ranking]] (OWGR) as of the conclusion of the [[2014 Open Championship]]
#The leading three available players, not otherwise exempt above, from the Race to Dubai as of the conclusion of the 2014 Open Championship
#The current holders of the four [[Men's major golf championships|major championships]]
#One tournament invite (with top 50 of OWGR as of [[2014 PGA Championship]], or from host country)


*Categories (1–2) will be filled with the next highest ranked and available player(s) from the final 2013 European Tour Race to Dubai, not otherwise exempt.
The seeds will be determined by the Official World Golf Ranking.
*Categories (3–5) will be filled by the highest ranked and available player(s) from the 2014 European Tour Race to Dubai as of the conclusion of the 2014 Open Championship, not otherwise exempt.
*Category (8) will be filled by the highest ranked and available player from the 2014 Race to Dubai as of the conclusion of the 2014 PGA Championship, not otherwise exempt.
*Category (9) will be replaced with another tournament invite (if no top-50 OWGR or host nation players available, then the highest ranked and available player on the 2014 Race to Dubai as of the conclusion of the 2014 PGA Championship will qualify).


==Media coverage==
==Media coverage==
The World Match Play currently gets shown live by [[BBC]] and it also gets broadcast in Ireland by [[Setanta Ireland]].
The World Match Play currently was shown live by Sky Sports and it also got broadcast in Ireland by [[Setanta Ireland]].

==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==
Line 186: Line 229:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.volvoworldmatchplay.com Volvo World Match Play official site]
*{{official website|http://www.volvoworldmatchplay.com}}
*[http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2014/tournamentid=2014082/index.html Coverage on the European Tour's official site]


{{World Match Play Championships|state=expanded}}
*[http://www.europeantour.com/default.sps?pageid=127&pagegid=%7BAEFB93B0%2DEFF5%2D4C05%2DAB0F%2DFD08D947D944%7D&eventid=2009078&infosid=3&pageno=1 Coverage on European Tour's official site]
{{Former European Tour Events}}
{{coord|51.19|0.73|display=title|type:event}}


[[Category:Volvo World Match Play Championship| ]]
{{European Tour}}
[[Category:Former European Tour events]]

[[Category:European Tour events]]
[[Category:Golf tournaments in England]]
[[Category:Golf tournaments in Spain]]
[[Category:Golf tournaments in Spain]]
[[Category:Golf tournaments in England]]
[[Category:Golf tournaments in Bulgaria]]
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1964]]

[[Category:Recurring sporting events disestablished in 2014]]
[[de:HSBC World Match Play Championship]]
[[fr:Volvo World Match Play Championship]]
[[Category:World championships in golf|Matchplay]]
[[Category:Volvo]]
[[ja:世界マッチプレー選手権]]
[[no:HSBC World Match Play Championship]]

Latest revision as of 15:21, 17 October 2023

World Match Play Championship
Tournament information
LocationAsh, Kent, England
Established1964
Course(s)London Golf Club
Par72
Length7,204 yards (6,587 m)
Organized byIMG
Tour(s)European Tour (since 2004)
FormatMatch play
Prize fund€2,250,000
Month playedOctober
Final year2014
Tournament record score
Score10 and 8 Paul Casey (2006)
Final champion
Finland Mikko Ilonen
Location map
London GC is located in England
London GC
London GC
Location in England
London GC is located in Kent
London GC
London GC
Location in Kent

The Volvo World Match Play Championship was an annual match play men's professional golf tournament which was staged from 1964 to 2014.

The World Match Play Championship was a limited field event, originally contested by just eight players before being expanded to sixteen in 1977, and to 24 in 2011. In 2004 it became an official tournament on the European Tour for the first time, having previously been a designated "approved special event". The event was traditionally played in the autumn, usually in October, but moved to a May date in 2011. Previous sponsors have included Piccadilly, Suntory, Toyota, Cisco, HSBC and Volvo.

The Wentworth Club near London was host venue for the World Match Play for the first 45 years. From 2009 to 2012 the event was played at the Finca Cortesín Golf Club in Casares near Málaga, Spain. In 2013, the event was held at the Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach Resort in Kavarna, Bulgaria, and in 2014, it was held at the London Golf Club in Kent, England.

History[edit]

The tournament was founded by sports agent Mark McCormack as a showcase for the players he managed. The inaugural event in 1964 was won by Arnold Palmer, who was McCormack's first client. The calibre of the winners has consistently been very high, with the majority of the tournaments being won by players who have been ranked in the top two in the Official World Golf Ranking or its predecessor Mark McCormack's world golf rankings.

The event consisted of 36-hole matches played in a single day. The event had an eight-man field from 1964 to 1976. It expanded to 16 players for 1977 and 1978. In 1979, the field was 12 players, with four seeded players being given a bye in the first round. It was sometimes felt that this was unfair, as an unseeded player needed to string together eight successful rounds in four days to win, twice as many as in a stroke play tournament, whereas a seeded player only needed six successful rounds to win.

For its first 40 years the tournament was an unofficial one, highly regarded by golf fans in Britain and many other countries outside the United States, popular with players, and happily coexisting with the European Tour, at whose home course it was played, but not taken into account on an official tour money list. The introduction in 1999 of the 64-man WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, which selected its field on the basis of the World Rankings, was a blow to the prestige of the older event, whose exhibition aspects, with a small invited field, were emphasised by contrast.

In 2003, the tournament was given a major overhaul. Greatly increased sponsorship was secured from the largest British based bank, HSBC, and the winner's prize was increased to £1 million, which was then easily the largest in world golf (although the Nedbank Golf Challenge had had a $2 million first prize from 2000 to 2002).

In 2004, the championship became an official money European Tour event - not, however, the actual prize money, as the first prize was far higher than for the other events on the tour, but scaled-down amounts intended to be more proportionate. The field was increased to 16 players, all of whom needed to play eight rounds of golf to win, to eliminate the advantage previously given to seeds. A qualifying system, based primarily on performances in the four majors, replaced the invitations of the past. World ranking points were allocated to the event for the first time since 1999.[1]

In recent years, Americans have tended to decline their invitations. In 2005, no Americans took part at all, and with stalwart Ernie Els injured and Vijay Singh and Sergio García also absent, the field was one of the weakest seen at the event, with just one player from the world top ten. The 2006 event had a considerably stronger field with six of the world's top ten players headed by the world's top two ranked players Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk. But in January 2007 HSBC activated a break clause in its ten-year contract and withdrew from sponsorship after the 2007 event.[2]

After HSBC withdrew its sponsorship in 2007, the tournament was given another major overhaul. After a break in 2008, the tournament returned in 2009 with Volvo as the new title sponsor.[3] The event moved from Wentworth to the Finca Cortesín Golf Club near Málaga in Spain. The format switched to an opening round robin, with 16 players divided into four groups and the winners advancing to the 36-hole semi-finals. The qualifying criteria were also changed to include certain players based on their nationality. The total prize money for 2009 was €3,250,000, with €750,000 of that going to the winner.

After another break in 2010, the tournament returned in May 2011, several months earlier than the traditional date in autumn. The field was expanded to 24 players, split into eight groups, playing in a round robin format. The top two players from each group would progress to the knockout stage. Unlike previous years, all matches would be played over 18 holes. The total prize money for 2011 was €3,400,000, with €800,000 of that going to the winner.

In 2013, the event was held in Bulgaria, becoming the first European Tour event in Bulgaria, as Volvo had requested that the championship be moved to geographical areas of interest for the company and therefore the event will be rotated around Europe.[4] In 2014, the event was played in October at London Golf Club in Kent, England. Prior to the tournament Volvo announced they were withdrawing their support as they reduced their sponsorship commitments on the European Tour.[5]

Winners[edit]

Year Tour[a] Winner Score Runner-up
Volvo World Match Play Championship
2014 EUR Finland Mikko Ilonen 3 and 1 Sweden Henrik Stenson
2013 EUR Northern Ireland Graeme McDowell 2 and 1 Thailand Thongchai Jaidee
2012 EUR Belgium Nicolas Colsaerts 1 up Northern Ireland Graeme McDowell
2011 EUR England Ian Poulter 2 and 1 England Luke Donald
2010: No tournament
2009 EUR England Ross Fisher 4 and 3 United States Anthony Kim
World Match Play Championship
2008 EUR Cancelled due to lack of sponsorship[6]
HSBC World Match Play Championship
2007 EUR South Africa Ernie Els (7) 6 and 4 Argentina Ángel Cabrera
2006 EUR England Paul Casey 10 and 8 United States Shaun Micheel
2005 EUR New Zealand Michael Campbell 2 and 1 Republic of Ireland Paul McGinley
2004 EUR South Africa Ernie Els (6) 2 and 1 England Lee Westwood
2003 South Africa Ernie Els (5) 4 and 3 Denmark Thomas Bjørn
Cisco World Match Play Championship
2002 South Africa Ernie Els (4) 2 and 1 Spain Sergio García
2001 Wales Ian Woosnam (3) 2 and 1 Republic of Ireland Pádraig Harrington
2000 England Lee Westwood 38 holes Scotland Colin Montgomerie
1999 Scotland Colin Montgomerie 3 and 2 United States Mark O'Meara
1998 United States Mark O'Meara 1 up United States Tiger Woods
Toyota World Match Play Championship
1997 Fiji Vijay Singh 1 up South Africa Ernie Els
1996 South Africa Ernie Els (3) 3 and 2 Fiji Vijay Singh
1995 South Africa Ernie Els (2) 3 and 1 Australia Steve Elkington
1994 South Africa Ernie Els 4 and 2 Scotland Colin Montgomerie
1993 United States Corey Pavin 1 up England Nick Faldo
1992 England Nick Faldo (2) 8 and 7 United States Jeff Sluman
1991 Spain Seve Ballesteros (5) 3 and 2 Zimbabwe Nick Price
Suntory World Match Play Championship
1990 Wales Ian Woosnam (2) 4 and 2 Zimbabwe Mark McNulty
1989 England Nick Faldo 1 up Wales Ian Woosnam
1988 Scotland Sandy Lyle 2 and 1 England Nick Faldo
1987 Wales Ian Woosnam 1 up Scotland Sandy Lyle
1986 Australia Greg Norman (3) 2 and 1 Scotland Sandy Lyle
1985 Spain Seve Ballesteros (4) 6 and 5 Germany Bernhard Langer
1984 Spain Seve Ballesteros (3) 2 and 1 Germany Bernhard Langer
1983 Australia Greg Norman (2) 3 and 2 England Nick Faldo
1982 Spain Seve Ballesteros (2) 37 holes Scotland Sandy Lyle
1981 Spain Seve Ballesteros 1 up United States Ben Crenshaw
1980 Australia Greg Norman 1 up Scotland Sandy Lyle
1979 United States Bill Rogers 1 up Japan Isao Aoki
Colgate World Match Play Championship
1978 Japan Isao Aoki 3 and 2 New Zealand Simon Owen
1977 Australia Graham Marsh 5 and 3 United States Raymond Floyd
Piccadilly World Match Play Championship
1976 Australia David Graham 38 holes United States Hale Irwin
1975 United States Hale Irwin (2) 4 and 2 United States Al Geiberger
1974 United States Hale Irwin 3 and 1 South Africa Gary Player
1973 South Africa Gary Player (5) 40 holes Australia Graham Marsh
1972 United States Tom Weiskopf 4 and 3 United States Lee Trevino
1971 South Africa Gary Player (4) 5 and 4 United States Jack Nicklaus
1970 United States Jack Nicklaus 2 and 1 United States Lee Trevino
1969 New Zealand Bob Charles 37 holes United States Gene Littler
1968 South Africa Gary Player (3) 1 up New Zealand Bob Charles
1967 United States Arnold Palmer (2) 1 up Australia Peter Thomson
1966 South Africa Gary Player (2) 6 and 4 United States Jack Nicklaus
1965 South Africa Gary Player 3 and 2 Australia Peter Thomson
1964 United States Arnold Palmer 2 and 1 England Neil Coles

Multiple winners[edit]

The following players have won the World Match Play Championship more than once:

Wins Player Years won
7 South Africa Ernie Els 1994, 1995, 1996, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007
5 South Africa Gary Player 1965, 1966, 1968, 1971, 1973
5 Spain Seve Ballesteros 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1991
3 Australia Greg Norman 1980, 1983, 1986
3 Wales Ian Woosnam 1987, 1990, 2001
2 United States Arnold Palmer 1964, 1967
2 United States Hale Irwin 1974, 1975
2 England Nick Faldo 1989, 1992

Qualification criteria[edit]

For the 2014 championship, the qualification criteria were as follows:[7]

  1. Defending champion
  2. The winner of the 2013 European Tour Race to Dubai
  3. The winner of the 2014 Volvo Golf Champions
  4. The winner of the 2014 Volvo China Open
  5. The winner of the 2014 Scottish Open
  6. The leading three available players, not otherwise exempt above, from the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) as of the conclusion of the 2014 Open Championship
  7. The leading three available players, not otherwise exempt above, from the Race to Dubai as of the conclusion of the 2014 Open Championship
  8. The current holders of the four major championships
  9. One tournament invite (with top 50 of OWGR as of 2014 PGA Championship, or from host country)
  • Categories (1–2) will be filled with the next highest ranked and available player(s) from the final 2013 European Tour Race to Dubai, not otherwise exempt.
  • Categories (3–5) will be filled by the highest ranked and available player(s) from the 2014 European Tour Race to Dubai as of the conclusion of the 2014 Open Championship, not otherwise exempt.
  • Category (8) will be filled by the highest ranked and available player from the 2014 Race to Dubai as of the conclusion of the 2014 PGA Championship, not otherwise exempt.
  • Category (9) will be replaced with another tournament invite (if no top-50 OWGR or host nation players available, then the highest ranked and available player on the 2014 Race to Dubai as of the conclusion of the 2014 PGA Championship will qualify).

Media coverage[edit]

The World Match Play currently was shown live by Sky Sports and it also got broadcast in Ireland by Setanta Ireland.

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ EUR − European Tour.

References[edit]

  1. ^ World Rankings are refined, but still confusing
  2. ^ Don't Bank on HSBC, sportbusiness.com, 31 January 2007.
  3. ^ "Volvo Named Sponsors of World Match Play Championship". European Tour. 23 June 2008.
  4. ^ "Bulgaria to host European Tour". ESPN. Associated Press. 22 October 2012.
  5. ^ "European Tour: Volvo withdraw sponsorship of two events". Sky Sports. 8 October 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  6. ^ Mair, Lewine (23 June 2008). "Matchplay's 44-year run at Wentworth ends". The Telegraph. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  7. ^ "Volvo World Match Play - Qualification Criteria". Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2012.

External links[edit]

51°11′N 0°44′E / 51.19°N 0.73°E / 51.19; 0.73

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