No Mickelson, who pulled off one of his finest Ping i20 Irons
ever on Sunday, is not injured.

He is somewhat surprisingly giving the first of this year's World Golf Championship events a miss in order to join a family vacation and it's left a spot vacant for Els, who, in the latest move in his current fall from grace, had dropped from 62nd to 65th - just one spot outside the qualifying bubble for the Accenture Match Play.

After winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-am on Sunday with a flawless 8-under 64, a buoyed Mickelson made it clear that his victory would not affect his decision to give the Accenture Match Play a miss.

"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."

As things stand right now Els, as the lowest-ranked player in the field, is therefore in line for a first-round clash with World No 1 Luke Donald, the Accentite Match Play defending champion, on Wednesday week, although the final draw is not made until Monday and there could still be further withdrawals.

South African George Coetzee is currently first reserve for the Match Play and as Paul Casey is still a doubtful starter after dislocating his shoulder last month, there is a good chance that the up-and-coming South African could come in at No 64 with Els moving to No 63. Ping i20 Irons