Lee Westwood has confirmed that he will not take part in the Volvo World Match Play Championship next month in Spain.

It is believed that the 39-year-old is eager to have a week off before the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

Westwood joins Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald in announcing his absence from the tournament, meaning that the competition at Finca Cortesin will be without the world's top three players.

Martin Kaymer is now expected to be the highest-ranked player at the tournament, with American duo Bubba Watson and Hunter Mahan also rumoured to be skipping the prestigious event.

England's Ian Poulter won the tournament in 2011.