TITLE CHAMPION: French Romain Langasque clinched a two-stroke victory in 2020 over Sami Valimaki. The then 25-year-old shot a final round of 65 to hit eight under for the week and win his first European Tour title.

CLASSES: One of the three courses of Celtic Manor Resort, the Twenty Ten The course is the first course designed to host the Ryder Cup, which it did in 2010 when Colin Montgomerie led the European team to victory. Celtic Manor has hosted every Wales Open played on the European Tour calendar since 2000.

Using nine holes from the old Wentwood Hills course, landscaped by American architect Robert Trent Jones Jnr, which have been significantly reworked and nine new holes, the par-71 features nine holes of water and presents plenty of challenges. risk-reward.

This is by no means a classic course, the Twenty Ten measures 6,762 meters for this week and mixes elements of links golf with the parks of America.

PRICE: 1,250,000 euros

PLAYERS TO WATCH …

There is a strong Australian contingent here this week, including many faces that do not regularly compete on the European Tour. Among this group is Bryden macpherson which presents itself as a very interesting prospect in Wales.

Macpherson was in tears at the start of 2021, the Victorian winning twice on his home circuit and recording five more top-20s with a worst T16 result. Winner of the NSW Open in his last eligible event in the world rankings, Macpherson recently maintained his game with Geoff Ogilvy and other pros in matches hosted by the winner of the US Open in Victoria and appears to be in good shape.

Four-round tournament golf is a different beast than an 18-hole shootout, but Macpherson’s rebuilding of his game under Brad Hughes’ tutelage and his vast professional experience bodes well as he tries to get some green fees to move forward.

RIGHT: Romain Langasque holds the Wales Open 2020 trophy at Celtic Manor. PHOTO: Warren Little / Getty Images.

Double winner of the European Tour, Justin harding finished in the top 20 at the Open last week and will be keen to maintain his good form as he attempts to re-enter the top 100 in the world rankings.

Once world number 42, the South African used his long putter with great success except for a missed cut in Scotland and his consistent and precise handling and approach game set in well for Celtic Manor.

Distance off the tee might be the biggest obstacle to success for the man known as the “Hack” this week, however, he has a long history of finding a way to compete on big ball fields.

Another of the Australians who deserve a close watch this week is Wade ormsby.

The South Australian was in the mix at the Scottish Open two weeks ago, but Ormsby failed to get started on the final day, ultimately costing him one of three Open spots on offer. After waiting there at Royal St. George’s as the first substitute last week, Ormsby will have done a lot of work on his game and will be determined not to miss another chance to secure a victory on the European Tour and the booty that accompanies it.

He should be in a good mood, too, after a hole-in-one at the Scottish Open won him over 200 bottles of scotch.

72 HOLE RECORDING: from Sweden Robert karlsson set the overall scoring record in 2006 with his total of 260 (under 16), beating England’s Paul Broadhurst by three shots. Scott strange holds the tournament scoring record relative to par, with the West Australian hitting 22 cents in 2008 for the first of two European Tour victories. Strange finishing four strokes in front of Karlsson.

FORMER AUSSIE WINNER: Scott Strange (2008).

AUSTRALIANS ON THE GROUND: Maverick Antcliff, Scott Hend, Brad Kennedy, Deyen Lawson, Bryden Macpherson, Wade Ormsby and Elvis Smylie.

TV SCHEDULES *

Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 506 LIVE from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.)
2nd round: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 HIGHLIGHTS 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 HIGHLIGHTS 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.)

* AEST, consult local guides