1976 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship Explained

1976 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship
Dates:7–9 October 1976
Location:Virginia Water, Surrey, England
Course:West Course, Wentworth
Par:73
Yardage:6969yd
Field:8 players
Format:Match play – 36 holes
Purse:£75,000
Winners Share:£25,000
Champion: David Graham
Score:def. Hale Irwin after 38 holes
Previous:1975
Next:1977

The 1976 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship was the 13th World Match Play Championship. It was played from Thursday 7 to Saturday 9 October on the West Course at Wentworth. Eight players competed in a straight knock-out competition, with each match contested over 36 holes. There was a large increase in the prize money with the champion receiving £25,000 compared to £10,000 the previous year. In the final, David Graham beat defending champion Hale Irwin after 38 holes.

For the first time there was a play-off between the losing semi-finalists for third place. It was played over 36 holes and was won by Gary Player.

This was the last World Match Play Championship sponsored under the Piccadilly name.[1]

Course

Source:[2]

Hole123456789Out101112131415161718InTotal
Yards4711554525011913443993984603,3711863764834411794803805715023,5986,969
Par434534444353454354553873

Scores

Source:[2] [3] [4]

Prize money

The winner received £25,000, the runner-up £15,000, third place £8,500, fourth place £6,500 and the first round losers £5,000, making a total prize fund of £75,000.[5]

References

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Notes and References

  1. "Piccadilly loss a blow to the game". The Times, Saturday, 16 October 1976; pg. 15; Issue 59836.
  2. "Floyd's finish is the end of road for Barnes". The Times, Friday, 8 October 1976; pg. 12; Issue 59829.
  3. "Vintage day closes with an hour of magic". The Times, Saturday, 9 October 1976; pg. 15; Issue 59830.
  4. "No event generated a greater afterglow than matchplay final". The Times, Monday, 11 October 1976; pg. 9; Issue 59831.
  5. "Irwin again in final". The Glasgow Herald, Saturday, 9 October 1976; pg. 14.