Just three days after the disappointment of missing out by 0.0002 of a World Ranking and Sweden’s Freddie Jacobson will contest next week’s WGC – Accenture Match-Play Championship following the withdrawal of American Brandt Snedeker.

Fresh from his AT & T Pebble Beach Pro-Am victory and the new new World No. 4 ranked Snedeker withdrew citing a rib injury.

American Brandt Snedeker withdraws from the Accenture Match-Play Championship just days after his AT & T Pebble Beach Pro Am victory. (Photo – Kenneth e. Dennis/kendennisphoto.com)

Snedeker, whose past 10 rounds on tour have been in the 60s, initially felt soreness in his left rib cage at the Humana Challenge, according to a news release.

He underwent treatment there, then went on to finish second in consecutive weeks at the Farmers Insurance Open and the Waste Management Phoenix Open before his win this past week on the Monterey Peninsula. The injury resurfaced Thursday at Pebble Beach.

Snedeker joins Phil Mickelson, who also withdrew from the $8.75m event and with Mickelson citing not playing the event because his kids are off from school and he’s planning a family trip the week of the event.

Jacobson will now be making his fourth appearance in the event after making his debut in 2004 when he advanced to the last 16.  The Swede contested the event last year but was easily bundled out 6 & 5 by countryman Robert Karlsson.

“I’m really happy to be part of it now and get a chance to play a little more golf that week,” he said.

“You never know how much golf you get to play, but I know I’m going to get there and play some golf.”

The withdrawal of Snedeker, and unless there is any other players pulling out will now see Jacobson face Rory McIlroy in the opening round.

It’s good news for Ireland’s Shane Lowry who has avoided a clash with McIlroy but then the bad news for Lowry is he’s staring at a first day showdown against World No. 2 and second seed, Tiger Woods.

Woods has won the event three times – 2003, 2004 and 2008.

Lowry will be making his debut.