The Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open will next year have a prime position on the European Tour International Schedule and a substantially increased prize fund, it was announced today.
The purse for the 2003 tournament is increasing for the third year running – this time from £1.1m to £1.5m, which is double the total prize money of the inaugural Wales Open in 2000. The event will be held from May 29 to June 1, the week immediately after the Volvo PGA Championship and two weeks before the US Open Championship, in one of the premier slots in the 2003 season.
The £400,000 increase in prize money will further enhance the prestige of the tournament and is sure to attract more world-class players to the Wentwood Hills course at the resort, host venue for The 2010 Ryder Cup Matches.
“We’’re working closely with the European Tour to make the Wales Open better every year,” said Celtic Manor Chairman Sir Terence Matthews.
“We have a great entry list this year - including four members of the Ryder Cup team and 11 of this year’’s Tour winners - but we recognise that being a week before one of the top US events is a problem for some of the biggest names and are pleased to have a better date. We also hope the increased prize fund and the fact that the resort is the venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup will attract more players of the highest calibre.”
Ken Schofield, Executive Director of The European Tour, said: “The change of date and increased prize money puts The Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open among the leading events on The European Tour International Schedule and strengthens Wales’’s position on the golfing map.
“We congratulate Sir Terence and his excellent team for their continued commitment to bringing world-class golf to Wales.”
Celtic Manor was selected to stage the 2010 Ryder Cup following a visit to last year’’s Wales Open by the Ryder Cup Board. The Ryder Cup Matches will now be held at The Belfry in England in 2002, the K Club, Ireland in 2006, Celtic Manor, Wales in 2010 and Gleneagles, Scotland in 2014 before moving to venues in continental Europe from 2018.
