Golf
Casey out, Coetzee in at WGC
2012-02-17 08:44
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Los Angeles - Britain's Paul Casey, a two-time runner-up at the World Golf Championships Match-Play Championship, will not play in the event next week, allowing South African George Coetzee into the field of 64.
Casey on Wednesday became the second qualified player to confirm he would not play in the tournament where entries are based on world rankings. Phil Mickelson will skip the event after winning last week at Pebble Beach.
Mickelson's sitting out allowed another South African, 65th-ranked Ernie Els, to make a start next week.
Casey, who lost the final in 2009 to Australian Geoff Ogilvy and in 2010 to England's Ian Poulter, injured his shoulder while snowboarding and hopes to return in March for a WGC event at Doral.
If no other players withdraw, Coetzee will face an opening-round match against the defending WGC Match-Play champion, World No 1 Luke Donald of England.