Furyk To Play At HSBC World Matchplay Championship

Current world number four Jim Furyk of the USA has accepted his invitation to take part in this year's HSBC World Matchplay Championship, which takes place at Wentworth in Surrey from September 14-17.

The 2003 US Open champion has qualified via the HSBC Major Championships Rankings system, having finished second at this year's US Open and fourth at the Open Championship at Hoylake last month.

Furyk joins world number one Tiger Woods, defending champion Michael Campbell, European number one David Howell and his English colleague Simon Kahn in accepting invitations for the annual showpiece. The remainder of the field will be decided after this week's final Major, the USPGA Championship. The players will be competing for the richest first prize in world golf, with the winner earning a cheque for £1 million and the Mark McCormack trophy.

Furyk accpeted his invitation for two reasons - the proximity of the matchplay event to the Ryder Cup and the chance to add his name to the prestigious list of former winners.

"I am delighted to have qualified for the HSBC World Matchplay Championship," Furyk revealed on Tuesday.

"I haven't played in it before and have heard that it is a fantastic event. I am really looking forward to the challenges a matchplay event offers, and the 36 hole matchplay format makes it an ideal tournament to play in ahead of the Ryder Cup the following week. The history of the event with its amazing list of past winners and the strength of the field makes it one I would really like to win."

Masters champion and world number two Phil Mickelson has also qualified through the HSBC Major Championships Ranking System, but he has revealed that he is unable to accept his invitation due to his sister's wedding that takes place on the same weekend.