World Number Three Ernie Els and US Open Champion Jim Furyk have withdrawn from next week's World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship. Els has withdrawn due to family considerations while Furyk is suffering from a wrist injury.
Els's daughter, Samantha, who turns five in May, will start school the week following the $7 million event that is being played in La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California. As a result the 2003 Volvo Order of Merit winner, who has a home at Wentworth, chose to remain with his family.
"My decision to withdraw from the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship is based solely on my family priorities taking precedence over my professional schedule," Els said in a statement released on Friday.
"Unfortunately, and with much regret, this year's Accenture Match Play Championship falls on the week preceding Samantha, my daughter, beginning her first year of school in London. As every parent knows, this is a milestone in the life of a child and I therefore have chosen to share this time with my daughter and family."
Els's withdrawal opens up a spot for Japan's Shingo Katayama. Jim Furyk, who said earlier in the week a nagging wrist injury would probably keep him away from La Costa, made it official Friday afternoon. Furyk's departure opens the door for John Rollins, ranked Number 67 in the world, to play in his first Accenture Match Play Championship.
The field for the Accenture Match Play Championship features the top 64 available players from the Official World Golf Ranking on Monday, February 16. The draw will be finalized at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, February 23.
