Field Is All Set for Match Play

Thomas Bjorn pulled out of the $7.5-million Match Play Championship because of a recurring neck injury, and Stephen Ames was first in line to replace him in the 64-man field at La Costa Resort in Carlsbad.

As the No. 64-seeded player, Ames drew Tiger Woods as his opponent in the first round Wednesday.

“Anything can happen,” Ames said. “Especially where he’s hitting the ball.”

Ames knows better than most that the Match Play Championship is the most unpredictable tournament in golf, especially with the matches lasting only 18 holes -- more or less -- until the championship round Sunday. A year ago, he made his debut at La Costa Resort as the No. 19-seeded player and was beaten, 7 and 6, by Mark Hensby.

Woods, the top-seeded player and a two-time winner of the Accenture Match Play Championship, withdrew from the Nissan Open after making the cut on the number because of flu. It was the first time in his pro career he left a tournament early because of health reasons.

He showed up at La Costa at lunch, hit a few balls and played a practice round.

Sergio Garcia previously said he would not play at La Costa, citing travel reasons. The world ranking that was published a week ago Monday determined the field, and although Craig Parry at No. 66 was one spot ahead of Ames, the Australian did not commit to the tournament.

Vijay Singh is the second-seeded player and will open against Graeme McDowell. Singh has never advanced beyond the second round in this tournament.

Retief Goosen, the No. 3-seeded player, starts off with Paul Broadhurst of England, who hasn’t competed in match play since the 1991 Ryder Cup at Kiawah Island.

Ernie Els made it to the semifinals in 2001 when the Match Play Championship was held in Australia, but he has not gone further than the second round at La Costa. After losing in 19 holes to Phil Tataurangi in 2003, the “Big Easy” skipped this event the last two years. He is back, seeded No. 4, and faces Bernhard Langer.

The defending champion is David Toms, who will face Ian Poulter in the first round.

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The Women’s World Golf Ranking finally made its debut, with Annika Sorenstam far atop the list based on her 21 victories worldwide and three major championships over the last two years. Sorenstam’s lead is nearly double that of Paula Creamer at No. 2. Michelle Wie, the 16-year-old from Hawaii who turned pro in October, checked in at No. 3.

The women’s ranking will be published every Tuesday and used as a criterion for getting into tournaments such as the LPGA Championship, the Women’s British Open and the HSBC Women’s World Match Play.