Darren Clarke, who decided only last week to stay at home rather than defend his World Matchplay title in Melbourne, is also missing the Mercedes Championship in Hawaii on January 11th-14th.

The Ulsterman wants to spend more time with his family and will make his 2001 debut at the South African Open on January 25th-28th.

He is also playing in the following week's Dimension Data Pro-am at Sun City, as is Lee Westwood. The new European number one's first Order of Merit appearance, however, is not until the Dubai Desert Classic on March 1st-4th.

Europe's "Big Three" - Westwood, Clarke and Colin Montgomerie - are all missing the Melbourne event and Westwood's absence means there is no Englishman in the 64-man field.

There are still two Irishmen, Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley, three Scots, Paul Lawrie, Gary Orr and Andrew Coltart and Welshman Phil Price. The draw for the first round is on Monday and if there are no further withdrawals - Tiger Woods, David Duval and Phil Mickelson are also among a massive 40 stay-aways - McGinley will face Price on Wednesday for a place in the last 32.

Lawrie, Orr and Harrington are set to play Americans Jeff Sluman, Steve Pate and Glen Day respectively, while Coltart's scheduled opponent is Japanese star Shigeki Maruyama.

Meanwhile, America's Jim Furyk, who was the event's sixth seed, is the latest big name to snub the event, being played at the Metropolitan Golf Club.

Swede Jarmo Sandelin withdrew on Thursday, allowing Australian Nick O'Hern into the field for a shot at the $1 million first prize.

American Greg Kraft will take the place of Furyk, while Australian Peter O'Malley will be the next to win a place if there is another no-show.

Tournament director Tony Roosenburg said the official draw would be released on Monday and if there were any pull-outs after that players will be given a bye through to the next round and at least $25,000 before they hit a ball.