Big names set to skip WGC Matchplay

Will four of the top five players in the world be missing from first WGC of 2014?

Andy Roberts's picture
Mon, 16 Dec 2013
Big names set to skip WGC Matchplay

FOUR of the current top-five players in the world are expected to miss the season's opening WGC event of the year at Dove Mountain on February 19.

According to the Telegraph, reigning US Open champion Justin Rose, Adam Scott and Phil Mickelson are strongly considering skipping the 64-man WGC Matchplay Championship, as too World No.1 Tiger Woods who has a decision on his hands because girlfriend Lindsey Vonn is competing in the Winter Olympics in Sochi during the same week.

“I’m thinking about having a month off around the February time,” said Rose, who has missed the event just once since 2007. “It’s been such a busy year and I think I probably need to recharge the batteries around then.”

Mickelson has played just twice in the WGC Matchplay since 2009 as the tournament usually conflicts with his kids’ break from school.

Scott has never missed the tournament, though he hasn’t advanced past the second round since 2005, while Woods has played every year accept for 2010 - the week of his scandal.