Golf - World Matchplay Championship

This famous tournament's spiritual home was Wentworth in Virginia Water, England, where it was played every year from 1964 up to and including 2007.
The event used to consist of a 12-man field playing 36-hole matches played in a single day. Four seeded players were given a bye in the first round.
In 2004, the field was increased to 16 players and in 2009 the format switched to an opening round-robin, with the 16 players divided into four groups and the winners advancing to the 36-hole semi-finals.From 2009 to 2012 it was staged at Finca Cortesín in Caseres, Spain.  In 2011 it was moved from its traditional European autumn date to May with an expanded 24-man field split into eight groups, the top two progressing to the semi-finals. All matches played over 18 holes.In 2013 it was staged at Thracian Cliffs in Kavarna, Bulgaria and in 2014 at the London Golf Club in Kent, England.