Injured Tim Clark pulls out of WGC-Accenture Match Play, JB Holmes makes surprise entry
South African player Tim Clark has pulled out of the WGC-Accenture Match Play due to an elbow injury.
According to the tournament format, a player who is just outside the top 64 rankings will be replacing him. That player is JB Holmes.
Clark, the 35-year-old South African pro, was disappointed with the situation. His elbow had been troubling him while he was practicing on the driving range. He was due to face Camilo Villegas of Colombia in the first round of the tournament. He played the
practice round, but was unable to finish the 18-holes as was not comfortable with his swing.
The situation has changed the entire face of the Match Play Tournament. American JB Holmes, who is ranked 66th in the world, will now be playing this all-important event. He will take Clark's place and face Camilo Villegas in the first round. This will be
a tougher challenge for the long-hitter Holmes. Villegas has had an impressive run in the past two years in this championship and finished third last year.
The injured Clark was victorious at the Players Championship last year which had improved his rankings in the world. He has not participated in many tournaments this season and was looking to improve his Match Play record this year, but his plans will have
to wait. Tim Clark was the 22nd seeded player in the championship and was looking forward to the challenge with Villegas. Clark had played a tournament last month but hadn’t performed well.
JB Holmes, who is well known for his long drives off the tee, will be playing his second Accenture Match Play this year. He hasn’t had an impressive start this year and is hoping to make a mark as he has an opportunity now in taking. He has two PGA Tour
wins under his belt in the years 2006 and 2008. Since then, he hasn’t won a tournament. Holmes has only played in this tournament once in which he fought valiantly against Tiger Woods, but lost on the final 18th hole in the first round.
The tournament will tee off at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Course in Arizona and much is expected from the few young players participating in it for the first time. The total prize money sanctioned for this event is $8.5 million and all the top players are looking
forward to capture the winner’s cheque. The defending champion is Englishman Ian Poulter.
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