WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play

The WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play was a premier PGA Tour event featuring the world’s top golfers in a unique match-play format. Held at Austin Country Club, it delivered intense head-to-head battles, dramatic upsets, and unforgettable moments. Explore past winners, tournament history, highlights, and results from this prestigious championship!

10 March, 2025

The Prestigious Global Showdown

Introduction

The WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play was one of the most anticipated and prestigious events on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. Unlike traditional stroke-play tournaments, this event featured a head-to-head match play format, where the world’s best golfers competed in one-on-one elimination duels.

First established in 1999, the tournament was part of the World Golf Championships (WGC) series, which aimed to bring together top-ranked players from around the globe. Over the years, golfing legends like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Jason Day have etched their names into the history of this elite event.

However, 2023 marked the final edition of the tournament, with the event being discontinued after an illustrious history of 24 years.

A Storied Legacy: The History of WGC Match Play

Origins and Evolution

1999 – The tournament was introduced as part of the WGC series, featuring a single-elimination format.
2002-2014 – Hosted at La Costa Resort & Spa (California) and Dove Mountain (Arizona).
2015-2023 – Moved to Austin Country Club, Texas, under Dell Technologies sponsorship.
2023 – Final edition played before being removed from the PGA Tour schedule.

This unique format provided some of the most exciting duels in golf, often producing surprise winners and Cinderella stories.

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Leaderboard

Understanding the Format of WGC Match Play

Competition Format

Field Size: 64 top-ranked players in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).
Match Play Format:
- Group Stage (2015-2023): Players competed in 16 groups of 4, with each player facing all other players in their group.
- Knockout Rounds: The top player from each group advanced to the Round of 16, followed by Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Championship Match.
Playoff Format: Sudden-death playoff if players were tied at the end of group-stage matches.

Qualification & Entry Criteria

Top 64 players from the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).
Automatic invites for past winners and top finishers from other WGC events.
No cut, ensuring all players competed in group-stage matches.

🏆 Recent Champions

2023: Sam Burns

Final Match Score: 6&5 victory over Cameron Young.
Key Highlights: Burns dominated the field, including a thrilling semifinal win over Scottie Scheffler.

2022: Scottie Scheffler

Final Match Score: 4&3 victory over Kevin Kisner.
Key Highlights: Scheffler became the World No. 1 after his win.

2021: Billy Horschel

Final Match Score: 2&1 victory over Scottie Scheffler.
Key Highlights: Horschel’s first WGC title, highlighted by steady match play dominance.

The Legendary Venue: Austin Country Club

Course Overview

Location: Austin, Texas.
Designed by: Pete Dye.
Course Length: 7,108 yards, Par 71.
Signature Features:
- Dramatic elevation changes and risk-reward holes.
- Tough par-4 finishing hole requiring precise shot-making.
- Strategic bunkering and undulating greens that test match play strategies.

Austin Country Club provided the perfect setting for intense match play duels, ensuring a thrilling spectacle for fans.

Golfing Icons & Their Triumphs at WGC Match Play

Most WGC Match Play Titles

Tiger Woods (3 titles) – 2003, 2004, 2008.
Geoff Ogilvy (2 titles) – 2006, 2009.
Jason Day (2 titles) – 2014, 2016.
Rory McIlroy (1 title) – 2015.
Dustin Johnson (1 title) – 2017.

Memorable Moments

Tiger Woods’ Dominance (2003-2008) – Winning three titles and cementing his reputation as golf’s best match-play competitor.
Kevin Kisner’s Underdog Run (2019) – Defeating Matt Kuchar in the final after previously finishing as a runner-up.
Sam Burns’ Final Victory (2023) – The last-ever WGC Match Play champion, closing an era.

Traditions & The WGC Match Play Trophy

Notable Traditions

Single-elimination excitement: Unlike stroke-play tournaments, a single bad round could eliminate a top-ranked player.
Unpredictable matchups: Match Play often led to unexpected upsets and dramatic playoffs.
International flavor: Bringing together the best global players for a true world championship.

Record-Breaking Performances & Interesting Facts

Biggest Winning Margin in a Final: 8&7 – Tiger Woods (2008) vs. Stewart Cink.
Longest Match in Tournament History: 23 holes – Scott Verplank vs. Lee Westwood (2006).
Most Consecutive Match Wins: Tiger Woods (13 matches, 2003-2005).
Oldest Winner: Steve Stricker (2011, at 44 years old).

Why WGC Match Play Was Special in Global Golf

The only annual match-play event featuring the world’s best golfers.
A true test of mental strength and strategic play.
Provided unforgettable head-to-head duels rarely seen in professional golf.
Honored golf’s rich match-play tradition in an era dominated by stroke play.

Final Thoughts

The WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play was a unique and historic event, offering a distinct challenge to players and a thrilling spectacle for fans.

While the tournament’s discontinuation in 2023 marked the end of an era, its legacy remains intact as one of the most exciting events in professional golf history.