Justin Rose to skip WGC-Match Play

Justin Rose has decided to bypass the WGC-Match Play Championship in two weeks time in order to best prepare for a shot at winning his first Masters.

Rose, 36, joins his good friend Henrik Stenson in skipping the event, of which the Swede explained he had little interest for the new round-robin format. 

NEWS: STENSON OUT OF WGC MATCH PLAY

Adam Scott is also likely going to opt out, with Rickie Fowler rumoured to be considering his options. 

"I had to look at what I felt was maybe the best preparation for me to do well at Augusta, and that was 72-hole stroke play," said Rose, who has four top-10 finishes at the Masters.

"Guaranteeing that type of golf. Match play is a fun format, but it's unpredictable."

Rose will warm up for the Masters by playing in the Houston Open a week before the year's first major at Augusta. 

This week's Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour marks the last chance for players to crack the world's top 64 spots in order to qualify for the WGC-Match Play, starting March 22 at Austin Country Club. Given both Rose and Stenson's omissions, the bubble will extend to 66, and likely beyond with further withdrawals expected next week.