In just a few short weeks, the best golfers from around the globe will again gather in Greater Tucson for the 2012 World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship, February 20-26 at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain, in Marana. Utilizing a strictly match-play format, the top 64 players in the Official World Golf Ranking (as of Monday, February 13) will square off in head-to-head matches over five days of competition with both the semifinal matches and championship matches contested on Championship Sunday.

Defending champion and current World No. 1 Luke Donald produced one of the most dominant performances in tournament history en route to claiming the Walter Hagen Cup in 2011. The Englishman never trailed in any of his six matches and claimed his first World Golf Championships triumph without having to play the 18th hole, defeating Germany’s Martin Kaymer in the final, 3&2. Europeans currently hold the top-four positions in the Official World Golf Ranking and are in line to occupy all four number-one seeds with Donald (No. 1) and Kaymer (No. 4) joined by England’s Lee Westwood (No. 2) and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy (No. 3).

With a victory at the season-opening Hyundai Tournament of Champions already under his belt, Steve Stricker (No. 5) is the highest-ranked American in the Official World Golf Ranking. Stricker, who won the Accenture Match Play Championship in 2001, is followed by fellow American Webb Simpson (No. 6), who will qualify for the event for the first time and will look to join Geoff Ogilvy (2006) as the only players to win the Accenture Match Play Championship in their first start. Dustin Johnson (No. 8) is the only other American in the top 10, while fan favorites Phil Mickelson (No. 15), Bubba Watson (No. 22) and Tiger Woods (No. 25) are all in good position to qualify.

Stars from outside of the United States and Europe expected to compete include Australians Adam Scott (No. 7) and Jason Day (No. 10), defending Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa and South Korea’s K.J. Choi (No. 14).

A new feature introduced in November of last year to enhance the fan experience at the Accenture Match Play Championship is the “Follow the Leader” program. Under this new initiative, fans will have the opportunity to fall in behind the championship match and follow the players down each fairway until the match is decided.

“Our task from year to year is to improve upon what has become one of the premier events in the world of professional golf,” said Accenture Match Play Championship Executive Director Gerald Goodman. “That includes improving the experience for the players competing, our corporate sponsors and our fans, both here at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain, and those watching around the world. We believe the ‘Follow the Leaders’ program will offer a unique perspective for fans on-site and will also enhance the competitive environment for the two players in the final match.”

Youth charities throughout the Tucson area continue to benefit from the Accenture Match Play Championship and the hard work of the Tucson Conquistadors, corporate sponsor Accenture and the hundreds of tournament volunteers that help make the event possible. The 2011 Accenture Match Play Championship generated more than $1.3 million for youth charities in Greater Tucson, including The First Tee of Tucson, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA and Pima County Special Olympics. Since moving to Tucson in 2007, the Accenture Match Play Championship has helped raise more than $7.5 million for area charities.

For fans interested in attending the 2012 Accenture Match Play Championship, tickets may be purchased by either visiting www.worldgolfchampionships.com or calling the Tucson Conquistadors Office at 520.571.0400.