Mickelson may be Wentworth absentee

America’s Phil Mickelson looks certain to join Tiger Woods and Ernie Els in being an absentee from the HSBC World Match Play Championship at Wentworth next month.

The event offers the biggest first prize in golf - £1m - but once again is heading for a list of withdrawals.

Mickelson qualified with his victory in the US PGA Championship and finished third behind Woods and US Open champion Michael Campbell in the qualifying table based on performances in the four majors this season.