Michael Campbell and Jean Van de Velde, both winners on The European Tour, will make their debuts in The Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open next week.
Campbell, a winner of five titles on The European Tour International Schedule, and Van de Velde, runner-up in the 1999 Open Golf Championship, have confirmed their appearance in the tournament which takes place from May 29 – June 1.
Campbell, of New Zealand, has chosen The Celtic Manor Resort to make his second appearance of the year in Europe. He finished in eighth place in the 2002 Volvo Order of Merit thanks to a win at the Smurfit European Open, which earned him his fifth Tour title and the biggest prize of his career.
He also tied for third place at last season’’s Benson and Hedges International Open and fourth place at the 2002 Volvo PGA Championship.
Campbell began his professional career with a bang in 1995 when he led the Open Golf Championship at St Andrews after the third round in his rookie season and eventually tied for third place. He suffered a dip in form after that sensational first year due to a wrist injury but regained his card in 1998 and has since become one of the prominent players on the world stage.
Van de Velde, who will always be remembered for his gutsy performance at the 1999 Open Golf Championship, will get the opportunity to renew his acquaintance with The Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open defending champion Paul Lawrie, the man who eventually beat him to the Open Championship title.
The Frenchman led the Open Championship at Carnoustie by three shots playing the final hole, before taking a triple bogey. A brave six foot putt, however, earned him a play-off place along with Lawrie and Justin Leonard before Lawrie triumphed after a four-hole play-off. Van de Velde’’s performance led to his debut in The 1999 Ryder Cup Matches at the Country Club, Brookline where he became the first Frechman to compete in the Matches.
Van de Velde played on the USA PGA Tour in 2000 and twice came close to winning a title, finishing joint runner-up in the Touchstone Energy Tucson Open and losing a four hole play-off to Scott Verplank at the Reno-Tahoe Open.
Last year he was sidelined as he underwent surgery for a knee injury which kept him away from The European Tour for the second half of the season.
“I am delighted that these two players will make their Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open debuts this year,” said tournament chairman Andy Stanton. “Michael is a world-renowned golfer with some prestigious wins to his name.”
“Jean is looking to make his mark again after a frustrating past year and we’’re hoping that the Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open will see him return to form.”
This year’’s tournament, the week after the Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth Club, has seen the prize fund increase by £400,000 to £1.5 million. The event will again be played on The Celtic Manor Resort’’s Wentwood Hills course, venue for The 2010 Ryder Cup Matches. Other golfing stars confirmed for this year’’s event include seven-time European Number One Colin Montgomerie, defending champion Lawrie, European Ryder Cup Captain and Vice Captain, Sam Torrance and Ian Woosnam.
