WGC Series 'Money Power'... "Last Place Gets $50,000~"

Night of the 24th Opening Del Technologies Match Play: 16 Group Qualifiers Leading to the '1-on-1 Match' Grand Journey

2019 Dell Technologies Match Play champion Kevin Kisner. Last year, the tournament was canceled due to COVID-19.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Last place gets $50,000."

This is the 'money power' of the World Golf Championships (WGC) series. The Dell Technologies Match Play, held on the night of the 24th (Korean time) at Austin Golf Club in Texas, USA (par 71), offers $50,000 (56 million won) even to the actual last-place finisher. The WGC series is a starting point comparable to the four major championships. It was established in 1999 by the International Federation of PGA Tours, composed of the offices of the seven major professional golf tours worldwide, including the US and Europe, and has poured in huge amounts of money from the beginning.

Four tournaments are held annually: the Workday Championship in February, this tournament in March, the FedEx St. Jude Invitational in July, and the HSBC Champions in November. Until 2006, the World Cup, a team competition, was included but was excluded in 2007, and the HSBC Champions joined in 2009. Although the HSBC Champions is the latest on the calendar, it is positioned early in the next season on the PGA Tour. Both PGA Tour and European Tour money rankings are included.

Participation is naturally difficult. Exactly 64 players based on world rankings get the opportunity, and there are no invitees. Ultimately, if there are withdrawals, tickets are given to the next-ranked players. It is interesting that there have been as many as five withdrawals this year. No. 12 Brooks Koepka (USA) due to a knee injury, No. 25 Adam Scott (Australia) declared rest in preparation for the Masters, No. 38 Justin Rose (England) with a back injury, No. 52 Gary Woodland was sidelined by COVID-19. No. 56 Tiger Woods (all USA) is recovering from a car accident.

This tournament is especially a one-on-one match. The 64 players are divided into 16 groups like the soccer World Cup, and the group winners advance to the round of 16, where a knockout format determines the champion in a 'survival game.' The 'top 5' including Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas (both USA), Jon Rahm (Spain), Collin Morikawa, and Bryson DeChambeau (both USA) are aiming for the title of 'match king.' The Korean contingent, led by No. 17 Im Sung-jae and No. 48 Kim Si-woo (26, both CJ Logistics), embarks on their journey.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.