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Ryder rehearsal in Wales

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 03/06/2009

The Ryder Cup may still be 15 months away but this week's Celtic Manor Wales Open will act as a dress rehearsal for the 2010 match.

The European Tour event - one of the most high-profile and lucrative on the schedule - not only takes place at Ryder Cup host venue Celtic Manor, but also sees the two captains go head-to-head for the first time since each was appointed.

Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin will both tee it up on the very course which will stage the biennial clash between Europe and America next year.

"I always enjoy playing in The Celtic Manor Wales Open," said Montgomerie, who finished tied 46th last year.

"It has additional significance as we are playing on the course where next year's Ryder Cup will unfold."

The Twenty Ten Course, designed specifically for the 2010 Matches, will be in use for only the second time and if the low scores of 12 months ago are anything to go by, European golf fans are in for another feast of birdies and eagles.

Australian Scott Strange won last year with a 22-under-par 262 aggregate - the joint lowest of the entire season - after throwing rounds of 63 and 64 into the mix.

The cut also came at level par as Europe's finest made hay on a course created specifically for the unique demands of matchplay golf.

"It is set up to challenge the best and, being a course with a whole host of tempting options and punishing hazards, there will be much for Corey and I to examine," added Montgomerie.

"Throughout his career, Corey has shown himself as a great competitor and I am sure, like me, he will be striving to win, as well as looking ahead to his own plans for next year's Ryder Cup."

Warm and dry weather in the period building up to this year's event could well lead to scores being even lower this time around.

Fast running fairways and minimal rough on what is an undulating layout will assist the likes of big-hitters Ross Fisher, Niclas Fasth, Franciso Molinari and Nick Dougherty.

European heavyweights Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain and Sweden's Soren Kjeldsen are among the favourites in the golf betting odds.

Jeev Milkha Singh is also much fancied in the online betting markets as the Indian featured prominently at last week's European Open.

Also, his performances in both the Masters and WGC-CA Championship in America this year suggest that he is able to cope with pressure of performing on the biggest stages.

Celtic Manor this week resplendent in Ryder Cup mode certainly looks like being one of those.

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