Former US Open Champion Michael Campbell is the latest Major winner to confirm his appearance at The Celtic Manor Wales Open later this month.
Campbell, who held off Tiger Woods to win the US Open Championship at Pinehurst in 2005, will play in the £1.5 million event for the fifth successive year from May 31 to June 3.
The New Zealander joins Retief Goosen, another winner of the US Open in both 2001 and 2004, eight-time European Number One Colin Montgomerie and defending champion Robert Karlsson in a line-up which promises to be the strongest in the seven-year history of the tournament.
Campbell said: “I have always felt at home at Celtic Manor and I'm looking forward to making another return to Wales.
“It is a fantastic tournament and I have really enjoyed the challenge of playing in it over the last four years. Off the course, it is always great to experience all the facilities the Resort has to offer.”
Campbell has particularly fond memories of his closing 65 to tie for 15th place at the 2005 Celtic Manor Wales Open. He used the confidence boost to qualify for the US Open the following day at Walton Heath and went on to claim his only Major Championship success at Pinehurst No 2 a fortnight later.
He returned to South Wales as the only reigning Major Champion to tee up in the event last year when he also entertained fans with an instructional Master Class of his skills on the driving range.
Jon Phelps, Tournament Director of The Celtic Manor Wales Open, said: “Michael has been a great supporter of the tournament over the years and it is great to welcome him back once again this year.
“His presence is another great boost for this year’s Celtic Manor Wales Open which is shaping up to have its strongest field ever.”
Now in its eighth year at the host venue for The 2010 Ryder Cup, The Celtic Manor Wales Open has grown into one of the top ten events on The European Tour.
Last year, England’s Phillip Archer came within a hole’s edge of claiming golf’s holy grail – a first round of 59 on The European Tour – before Ryder Cup star Karlsson produced a masterful display of low scoring to win by three strokes on 16 under par. Past champions include four other Ryder Cup players in Paul McGinley, Paul Lawrie, Ian Poulter and Miguel Angel Jiménez.
The top tour players have one final chance to shoot for immortality with a sub-60 score on the par-69 Roman Road layout in 2007 before the event moves next year to the new course built specifically for staging The Ryder Cup.
The Celtic Manor Wales Open always aims to provide an experience that is much more than just a golf tournament. Ladies Day, complete with champagne hospitality, on the Saturday of the event has become one of the hottest dates on the sporting social calendar, relaxed master classes and trick shot displays are a popular diversion on the range while a family tented village complete with Kidz Zone provides additional entertainment for all.
For ticket, hospitality and sponsorship information, call the Celtic Manor events team on 01633 410318 or visitwww.walesopen.com
