Britain’s Paul Casey, a two-time runner-up at the World Golf Championships Match-Play Championship, will not play in the event next week, allowing South African George Coetzee into the field of 64.

Casey on Wednesday became the second qualified player to confirm he would not play in the tournament where entries are based on world rankings. Phil Mickelson will skip the event after winning last week at Pebble Beach.

Mickelson’s sitting out allowed another South African, 65th-ranked Ernie Els, to make a start next week.

Casey, who lost the final in 2009 to Australian Geoff Ogilvy and in 2010 to England’s Ian Poulter, injured his shoulder while snowboarding and hopes to return in March for a WGC event at Doral.

Australian Robert Allenby, ranked 68th, just missed out on a direct place and faces an anxious wait to find out if he will be included in the 64-man field.

Players have until Friday (Saturday AEDT) to confirm their spot in the field or drop out and Allenby will have to rely on more withdrawals for a place.

Along with Allenby, other alternates waiting for a spot in the lineup include 67th-ranked American Ryan Moore and Dutchman Joost Luiten ranked 69th.

If no other players withdraw, Coetzee will face an opening-round match against the defending WGC Match-Play champion, World No.1 Luke Donald of England.