Former winner Miguel Angel Jiménez will bid to reclaim The Celtic Manor Wales Open trophy when he tees up in this year’s tournament from June 4-7.
Jiménez, who defends his BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club next week, joins Ryder Cup Captains Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin in the starting field for the £1.8m event at The Celtic Manor Resort.
The amiable Spaniard has been a popular competitor in Wales since winning on his debut in 2005, one of 15 European titles he has collected in a career which also includes three Ryder Cup appearances – in 1999, 2004 and 2008.
Fellow former Celtic Manor Wales Open champions Robert Karlsson, Simon Khan, Paul Lawrie and Paul McGinley have also confirmed their entries into the tournament as well as last year’s impressive winner Scott Strange, who recently claimed his second European Tour victory at the Volvo China Open.
All will be aiming to become the first repeat winner of the tournament as it celebrates its tenth staging this summer.
Celtic Manor Resort Chief Executive Dylan Matthews said: “We are delighted that Miguel Angel Jiménez will be playing once again in The Celtic Manor Wales Open.
“He was a fantastic champion in 2005 and is always a tremendous draw for our galleries. With his big cigars and his even broader smile, Miguel is one of the game’s true characters as well as a very talented golfer.
“I’m sure he’ll put up a great challenge to claim another victory but he will face strong competition from what is shaping up to be an excellent field for this year’s tournament.”
Ryder Cup stars Thomas Björn, Niclas Fasth, Søren Hansen, David Howell and Oliver Wilson and are also included in the field along with many more players who will be hoping to impress Captain Montgomerie and break into his Team at Celtic Manor in 2010. They include England’s Nick Dougherty, Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño, Volvo Masters champion Søren Kjeldsen from Denmark and French duo Raphaël Jacquelin and Grégory Havret.
With children under 16 enjoying free entry if accompanied by an adult, The Celtic Manor Wales Open offers a great family day out with the opportunity for youngsters to take their first swings at the game under the supervision of Golf Development Wales.
