Golf’s Match Play Championship has change in format

Rory McIlroy arrived at Harding Park in San Francisco on Monday knowing he’ll be at the Match Play Championship at least until Friday. So will the rest of the 64-man field. In a format change to avoid the single elimination that often sent big names home early, the Match Play will be round robin featuring 16 groups of four players. The best record from each group advances to the round of 16 on Saturday morning for a full weekend of golf. There was one more twist. The groups were based on a lottery. McIlroy wound up getting Brandt Snedeker, Billy Horschel and Jason Dufner in his group. Masters champion Jordan Spieth is with Lee Westwood, Matt Every and Mikko Ilonen of Finland. Ilonen got in when Phil Mickelson chose not to play. – Assocaited Press