World number one Tiger Woods' "indefinite break" from golf could be Englishman Ross McGowan's ticket to the World Golf Championships Match Play Championship.

Sunday was the final day to secure a berth in the elite 64-player field, which is based on the world rankings.

American Kevin Na, Chad Campbell and Scott Verplank all finished well enough at the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club to secure their spots.

Na fired a final-round 66 to finish tied for 10th and move up from 67th to 62nd in the world. Campbell moved down a spot to 63rd and Verplank retained the 64th position in the wake of Sunday's play.

Phil Mickelson - who slipped to third in the world rankings behind Riviera winner Steve Stricker - has already said he won't play.

That opens the door for world number 65 Chris Wood of England. If Woods - or another eligible player - doesn't show then 66th-ranked McGowan is in line for a spot in the tournament at Dove Mountain near Tucson.

Qualified players have until Friday to confirm their participation in the tournament, which runs from February 17-21. Australian Geoff Ogilvy is the defending champion.

An Australian newspaper created a flutter last week when it speculated - citing nothing more substantial than "whispers" - that Woods would use the WGC Match Play to return from his self-imposed exile.

Woods future remains in doubt

But Woods' plans remain in doubt. He hasn't played since a November 27 car crash sparked a sex scandal that led to Woods admitting marital infidelity.

He said in December he would take an "indefinite break" from the game to focus on his family.

Since the scandal erupted Woods has become favorite fodder for tabloids, gossip magazines and websites.

On Sunday, the celebrity news website TMZ.com weighed in with a report - citing "someone who works for the Woods family" - that Woods planned to play in the

Tavistock Cup, an event in which pro golfers from the Isleworth Golf and Country Club take on those from nearby Lake Nona Golf and Country Club.

The event, in which Woods has participated in the past, is to take place March 22-23 at Isleworth. It is not open to the general public, but it is televised by the Golf Channel cable outlet.

Such speculation has raged as to Woods' whereabouts, the state of his marriage and the 14-time major champion's likely plans for returning to competition.

Newly minted world number two Stricker, asked if he would now allow himself to set his sights on seizing the world number one ranking, indicated that in his opinion one thing about Woods remains certain.

"I don't allow that," Stricker said. "We all know who the best player in the world is."