the 1945 and 1946 events involved 36 holes of stroke play over two days. the leading 16 then played knockout matchplay over the next two days. in 1947 the 36-hole stroke play stage was played on a single day using both wentworth courses with 32 golfers qualifying. there were then four rounds of knockout matchplay over the next two days, followed by a 36-hole final on the fourth day.