Stars snub World Match Play

Bernhard Langer has stepped in to play in the HSBC World Match Play championship at Wentworth in two weeks’ time as eight players including the world’s top four – Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els – have pulled out.

Eight players including Sergio Garcia and the world’s top four – Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els – have pulled out of the HSBC World Match Play championship at Wentworth in two weeks’ time.

Defending champion Els is unavailable following knee surgery, while Garcia, Woods, Singh, Mickelson, Chris DiMarco, Fred Couples and Davis Love have all turned down the chance to play.