How It Works

The top 64 players in the Official World Ranking earned invitations to the single-elimination, $5-million Andersen Consulting Match Play Championship. Jumbo Ozaki declined, letting in No. 65 Nick Faldo.

After Wednesday’s first round, 32 players are left. There are 16 matches today, eight matches Friday morning and four more Friday afternoon.

The semifinals are Saturday, and there is a 36-hole final Sunday. A second match, over 18 holes, decides third place.

The champion receives $1 million, a sum that’s not out of line, in Phil Mickelson’s opinion.

“We are entertainers,” he said. “Our value is only what we are able to generate what people are willing to pay . . . we are able to generate the type of revenues that this tournament creates and have a $5-million purse.”