World No. 12 Steve Stricker admits he’s now a ‘long shot’ to contest next week’s $US 9m WGC – Accenture Match-Play Championship in Arizona.

Stricker says he is reluctant to leave home give his older brother, Scott remains in hospital under intensive care and awaiting a replacement liver following his admission just over a month ago.

Steve Stricker now likely to miss next week’s WGC – Accenture Match-Play Championship. (Photo – kenneth e.dennis / kendennisphoto.com) www.golffile.ie)

“He’s walking a tightrope is what they’re telling me,” said Stricker who captured the 2001 event when it was staged in Melbourne, Australia and the only occasion outside of the US.

“Scott needs a liver. He’s holding his own, but this can’t last forever. Hopefully, we get one soon.”

If Stricker does withdraw, and it seems very likely he will, then he will join Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Masters champion Adam Scott as non-starters in the first WGC of the new season.

“I was going to leave today to go to Phoenix for a few days, but that’s not going to happen,” added Stricker.

“It’s going to be a long shot if I come and play. I’m practicing every day, but in the back of my mind, I feel like I’m not going to be there – unless something happens rather quickly, and they say it can.

“But if one comes available, I wanted to be around for the surgery.”

However while the news is not good for Stricker it means that current World No. 68 and fellow American Brooks Koepka will make his debut in the event.