Casey out of World Match Play

Paul Casey is out of the Volvo World Match Play Championship in Spain starting on Thursday and will be replaced by Swede Robert Karlsson.

Casey suffered a recurrence of shoulder trouble - he dislocated it snowboarding on Christmas Eve - at the Players Championship and withdrew on the 10th hole.

He hoped at first he would recover in time for the 24-man event at Finca Cortesin near Marbella, but having already missed the first two months of the season he faces another lay-off.

"Unfortunately, despite having had intensive treatment since last Thursday, I have been advised not to play in the Volvo World Match Play Championship," he said in a statement.

"I am absolutely gutted as it is one of my favourite events and I was really looking forward to a week of match play to kick-start my season.

"I am very sorry to miss out, especially as Volvo were kind enough to give me an invite."

Casey will have more treatment before making a decision on next week's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. He won that three years ago.

Karlsson said: "I am absolutely thrilled to receive this invitation.

"I have only qualified once before, so this is a great opportunity for me, especially in a Ryder Cup year, and I am really excited about the week ahead."