The Welsh contingent at this year’’s Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open (May 29 – June 1) will feature the top Welshman in the Volvo Order of Merit, Bradley Dredge, Ian Woosnam, Phillip Price and David Park, who promotes the tournament around the world as well as other leading home players.
Dredge, from Cardiff, has been in great form in the weeks leading up to The Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open. Having secured his maiden European Tour victory at the Madeira Island Open, a runner’’s-up finish at the Algarve Open de Portugal and his recent victory at the Pro Tour tournament under his belt, he will be looking for a second European Tour win.
He is currently 16th in the Volvo Order of Merit and 54th in the World Rankings. A good performance at The Celtic Manor Resort could lift him into the top 50.
Phillip Price from Newport was one of last year’’s Ryder Cup heroes, beating the World Number Two Phil Mickelson in the singles matches to claim a point for the European team.
He will be making his third appearance at the course where he holds honorary membership and which is located just a stone’’s throw from his home. He has had a quiet start to 2003, playing in only six tournaments including a ninth place at the Dubai Desert Classic and a tenth place at the Canarias Open de Espana.
European Ryder Cup Vice-Captain and former World Number One Ian Woosnam is playing as well as ever. Recent results include a third position at the Dubai Desert Classic and a seventh position at the BMW Asian Open.
They will be joined by David Park from Monmouth, who promotes the tournament on The European Tour. He has also turned in some good performances recently including 12th position at the Deutsche Bank - SAP Open TPC of Europe last weekend and a tie for seventh place at the Qatar Masters and the Benson and Hedges International. He is in 27th position in the Volvo Order of Merit.
Up and coming European Tour star, Jamie Donaldson makes his third appearance at The Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open. He has been performing well so far this year, claiming 12th place at the ANZ Championship and joint second with Dredge at the
Algarve Open de Portugal, to lie in 36th place in the Volvo Order of Merit.
/continued
-2-
Jamie has performed well at the last two Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open tournaments, tying for 14th place last year and fourth place in 2001 with fellow Welshman, Mark Pilkington from Pwllheli, who finished in 80th position on the Volvo Order of Merit in 2002.
In 2003, Stephen Dodd from Barry tied for fourth place at the Omega Hong Kong Open and took eighth position at the South African Airways Open earlier in the year.
“It’’s great to see so many Welsh players in great form in the run up to the tournament,” said Wales Open tournament chairman, Andy Stanton. “Maybe 2003 will be the year that we’’ll see a Welshman lift the trophy on home soil. Whatever happens, they will certainly be an attraction for spectators.”
Other players in the field for the £1.5 million tournament include Ryder Cup stars Colin Montgomerie and Paul McGinley, defending champion Paul Lawrie, 2002 European Ryder Cup team captain and European Tour stars Jean Van de Velde and Michael Campbell.
