Els lands Match Play berth

Ernie Els has scraped into the 64-man field for next week’s WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona – thanks to Phil Mickelson taking the week off.

Els took last week off and dropped from 62nd to 65th in the rankings, but Mickelson has decided not to play in an event where he has reached the quarter-finals only once in 11 appearances.

It could mean that the former world number one Els takes on current number one and defending champion Luke Donald in the first round on Wednesday week, although the draw is not made until next Monday.

Paul Casey is a doubt for the tournament after dislocating a shoulder snowboarding last month, but does not have to make a decision yet.

Spain’s Rafael Cabrera-Bello and Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts climbed into the field by finishing first and ninth respectively at the Dubai Desert Classic.

South African George Coetzee, who was joint fifth at the Emirates Club, is first reserve for the Match Play after American Kevin Na’s fifth place at Pebble Beach kept him in the top 64.

Mickelson confirmed his decision not to go to Dove Mountain after winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-am last night.

“I love the tournament, but all of our kids are out of school that week and it’s a perfect time to go on vacation,” he said.