Retief Goosen expects some stiff competition when he aims to lift The Celtic Manor Wales Open at the first attempt this summer.
Goosen, twice a Major winner at the US Open Championship, has added the leading tournament to his playing schedule for the first time and is looking forward to a highly competitive challenge from May 31 to June 3.
Launching the £1.5 million event at Celtic Manor, Goosen said he expected a strong field to tee off in search of the £250,000 winner’s prize.
“The Celtic Manor Wales Open has grown into one of the top ten events on The European Tour schedule,” said the South African. “You only have to look at some of the winners’ names on the trophy – guys like Paul McGinley, Paul Lawrie, Ian Poulter, Miguel Angel Jimenez and the defending champion, Robert Karlsson – to know some seriously good golfers have competed for this title.
“When you add players like Colin Montgomerie to the mix, I’m sure it will be another very strong field for this year’s tournament but I’m confident I can give them a run for their money. I’m really looking forward to making my first appearance at Celtic Manor. I feel in good shape this season and I’ll be coming back here next month with the aim of winning another big tournament on The European Tour.”
As well as his excitement at playing in the event, Goosen is also keen to see more of the five-star facilities at The Celtic Manor Resort when he returns during tournament week.
He said: “I got my first look at The Resort Hotel and The Lodge clubhouse this morning and I’ve got to say the scale of the place is very impressive.
“As everyone knows, The Celtic Manor Resort will host The Ryder Cup in 2010 so it’s obviously a special venue for golf and I’ve always been curious to see it for myself. I’ve heard quite a lot about how great the facilities are here from players like Colin Montgomerie and Michael Campbell during The Goodwill Trophy.
“They all say it’s the perfect place to bring the family because there is so much they can do here – with a great players’ lounge, the five-star hotel, the spas, the health clubs, the kids’ club.
“Looking at the first tee and 18th green here, the Roman Road course looks in fantastic condition. I’m looking forward to seeing a lot more of the course and the place during the tournament.”
Runner-up in the Masters Tournament earlier this month, Goosen now has two second places and two third places to his credit at Augusta National. This June, he will be setting his sights on adding to his US Open triumphs of 2001 and 2004 at Oakmont, just two weeks after The Celtic Manor Wales Open.
Goosen added: “I think I’ll get a valuable tune-up for the US Open at Celtic Manor. I’m told the Roman Road course is quite tight in places and the greens have some tricky slopes, so finding the fairway off the tee will be vital as well as some accurate iron play.
“That’s the same sort of course strategy that I’ll need at Oakmont so it’s an ideal place to be playing in the run-up to the US Open.”
Introducing Goosen at a launch day for media and sponsors, Celtic Manor Wales Open Tournament Director Jon Phelps said the current World Number Eight would prove a big draw for tournament galleries and other players.
“We are delighted to welcome Retief Goosen to this year’s tournament,” said Phelps. “Retief is the highest-ranked player we’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing tee it up in The Celtic Manor Wales Open.
“I’m sure his participation will spark a lot of interest among the great golf fans who come here and the other leading European Tour golfers who play in the event. I’m sure our tournament sponsors have also taken a keen interest in Retief’s involvement and we would like to thank them for their continued support. This year we are delighted to welcome on board Paco Rabanne and Payot and we look forward to a long association with both companies.”
Also unveiled on Wednesday was the artistic identity for this year’s tournament. Following the pop-art designs of Andy Warhol in 2005 and Roy Liechtenstein in 2006, this year’s tournament programme, tickets and promotional posters will bear the depictions of Andrew Vicari, the internationally-renowned artist from Wales who has recently accepted an invitation to house a permanent exhibition of his work in a gallery at The Celtic Manor Resort.
The striking designs are just one example of how The Celtic Manor Wales Open aspires to be more than just a golf tournament. This year’s Gala Dinner takes place on the eve of the pro-am rather than the tournament itself, allowing more players to enjoy the gourmet food and entertainment which will once again include a performance from Welsh mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins. Ladies Day on the Saturday of the tournament adds a dash of celebrity glamour to proceedings while a family tented village aims to provide attractions for all ages, including shops, bars and a Kidz Zone.
