golf
opEn ChaMpion MakEs
CEltiC Manor dEbut
harrington heads field at the Celtic look at the course which will stage the next “We’d love to see a first Welsh winner here at The
Manor Wales open as dredge bids to ryder cup in europe and i’ve heard a lot of good celtic manor resort and bradley dredge gave us
turn the tables things about it. i hear that it should provide a so much to be proud of with his challenge for the
great challenge which will hopefully suit my game title in 2007. We’ll all be rooting for him to go one
open champion padraig harrington will head and provide good preparation for the tough better this year.
the field at this year’s Celtic Manor Wales Open conditions we can expect at the uS open a
when he makes his debut in the event from may couple of weeks later. “We know many more of the world’s top players
29-June 1. will also be coming back to challenge for the title
“last year was quite a year for me with and to plot their way around a course where they
harrington ended an eight-year wait for a everything that happened at carnoustie and i’ve hope to be competing as part of a ryder cup team
european winner of a major title when he enjoyed a fantastic reception all over the world in 2010.”
defeated Spain’s Sergio garcia in a play-off for the since winning the open championship. i’m sure
open championship at carnoustie last July. the fans in Wales will give me a special celtic the new twenty ten course has been built with
welcome and i hope to give them something to the matchplay drama of the ryder cup in mind,
The stunning triumph confirmed the Irishman’s cheer about in return.” but it will provide an equally exciting arena for the
status as one of the world’s leading players traditional 72-hole strokeplay of the celtic manor
following 11 previous victories on the european now in its ninth year and with an increased prize Wales open. one thing’s for sure – no lead will
tour and he will be seeking more silverware fund of £1.8m, the celtic manor Wales open is appear safe until the leading protagonists have safely
when he makes his first appearance at The Celtic one of the top ten events on the european tour negotiated the 18th hole, a reachable par five with a
manor resort next month. and continues to enjoy a prime early summer protective moat guarding a raised green where any
date the week after the tour’s flagship BMW PGA score from eagle to triple bogey and worse will be
one of the players standing in his way will be championship at Wentworth. on the cards.
home favourite bradley dredge who hopes to go
one better than last year when he was squeezed past champions include ryder cup stars ian the celtic manor Wales open always aims to
into joint second place by a single stroke at the poulter, miguel angel Jimenez and robert provide an experience that is much more than
celtic manor Wales open following a superb Karlsson while leading players to tee up at just a golf tournament. ladies day, complete with
birdie at the final hole which clinched the title for celtic manor in recent years include eight-time champagne hospitality, on the Saturday of the
South africa’s richard Sterne. european no 1 colin montgomerie, former event has become one of the hottest dates on the
uS open winners retief goosen and michael sporting social calendar, relaxed master-classes on
currently Wales’ leading golfer with two campbell, and ryder cup stars paul mcginley and the range give spectators a unique insight into some
european tour wins and a World cup triumph paul casey. of their favourite players, and a family tented village
under his belt, dredge was also narrowly beaten provides additional entertainment for all.
by harrington in a play-off for the irish open last last year’s joint runner-up dredge said: “the
spring and would dearly love to turn the tables in celtic manor Wales open is one of the highlights
his own home event at celtic manor. of my year. it’s always great fun to play in with the
way we are looked after here and all the support
World no 11 harrington, who was europe’s that we home players receive from the fans.
highest finisher in joint fifth place at this month’s
US Masters, will head a strong field as the “it was great to be in such strong contention
tournament moves to the twenty ten course last year and an absolute thrill to be leading the
for the first time with many of Europe’s leading tournament during the final round. Hopefully, I can
golfers eager to get their first look at the layout finish the job this year.”
which will stage the ryder cup in 2010.
celtic manor’s director of golf Jim mcKenzie
harrington said: “i’m really looking forward to said: “We are all very excited about this year’s
making my debut in the celtic manor Wales tournament with the move to the new course.
open, having watched the tournament go from adding a player of padraig harrington’s stature
strength to strength in recent years. to the field will only heighten that sense of
anticipation and it will be fantastic for the fans to
Wales’ number one bradley dredge
“this gives me an opportunity to get an early watch the reigning open champion up close.
maytwothousand&eight
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