1970 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship

1970 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship
Tournament information
Dates8–10 October 1970
LocationVirginia Water, Surrey, England
Course(s)West Course, Wentworth
FormatMatch play – 36 holes
Statistics
Par74
Length6,997 yards (6,398 m)
Field8 players
Prize fund£18,400
Winner's share£5,750
Champion
United States Jack Nicklaus
def. Lee Trevino 2 & 1
← 1969
1971 →

The 1970 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship was the seventh World Match Play Championship. It was played from Thursday 8 to Saturday 10 October on the West Course at Wentworth Club in Surrey, England.[1] Eight players competed in a straight knock-out competition, with each match contested over 36 holes. The champion received £5,750 out of a total prize fund of £18,400. In the final, Jack Nicklaus beat Lee Trevino 2 & 1.

In the first round, two matches finished at the 36th hole. Tony Jacklin won the last two holes to defeat Gary Player while Lee Trevino beat Billy Casper by holing a 6-foot putt after Casper had missed from 8 feet.[2]

Nicklaus was playing in the event for the first time since 1966 when he had a dispute with the referee in the final. After two comfortable wins, he met Lee Trevino in the final. The final was level after 12 holes but Nicklaus won three of the next five holes to go to lunch 3 up. After 27 holes, Nicklaus led by five with both players having birdied the 9th. Trevino then won the 10th, 11th, 13th and 14th to reduce the lead to 1 hole. However Nicklaus eagled the 15th to take a two-hole lead again and, although Trevino birdied the 16th, the match ended at the 17th after Trevino had gone out of bounds off the tee.[3]

  1. ^ "Jack Nicklaus vs Lee Trevino at Wentworth | 1970 Piccadilly World Match Play Championship". LIVE GOLF 360.
  2. ^ "Long putt ends war of nerves for Jacklin". The Times, Friday, 9 October 1970; pg. 17; Issue 57992.
  3. ^ "Nicklaus kept his head for victory at the 35th hole". The Times, Monday, 12 October 1970; pg. 12; Issue 57994.