The 14th has extra teeth, while the short par This year’s event missed some of the big names, “You want to see matches which are obviously
four 15th is beginning to play like the 10th at but having both Ryder Cup captains there added very close coming down on 18 and guys going for
the Belfry, with the hill on the right almost as a massive edge with Corey Pavin crossing the it, or make a decision about laying up.”
punishing as water. Atlantic to get a fi rst look at the venue.
Montgomerie admitted he was inspired by the
The 16th takes plenty of prisoners while 17 and “It will be great to be here in Wales, everyone has Ryder Cup buzz during this year’s event.
18 are beginning to appear a masterstroke in been really nice to me – though maybe they won’t
course design. be quite so welcoming next year,” laughed Pavin. “Of course you do,” he admitted. “You get
excited, there is a defi nite buzz about the place.
The 17th really came into its own as the hole “I am impressed with the golf course, there will
which decided this year’s Wales Open, Dane Jeppe be tremendous excitement coming down the “I think you look at the positions, you look at
Huldahl holing a great par putt while his rivals fell stretch. the crowds, you look at the feeling of the whole
away at that hole. thing and of course you are playing the same golf
"the Welsh public should course.
The 18th did not supply the drama in the
more conservative strokeplay format, the slope prepare to be proud of an “In many ways I think America winning last year
and water in front of the green proving too has made the Ryder cup in Wales much bigger.
frightening for most, but a Ryder Cup will not event which will become the
allow such timidity. “It has become more important for Europe to try
benchmark" to regain the Ryder Cup, as opposed to keeping it,
So Celtic Manor’s Twenty10 course is shaping up and we will do our best.
fi ne, instead of muttering about the possibility of “Having played the course I will tell the team it
the tournament being moved the Welsh public is a very fair course. Everything is in front of you “There is a new tee at the 14th which makes the
should prepare to be proud of an event which will and there are no tricks on this golf course. hole much more diffi cult. That is the start of the
become the benchmark. stretch which will win or lose the Ryder Cup
“There are a few decisions that you have to make come Sunday.”
There will be drama and, perhaps more on the last few holes, especially 14, 15 and 18 are
importantly, spectators will be able to see that going to be pretty key holes along with 16 and 17. At this year’s Wales Open you could see the
drama unfold – which is not always the case at a Ryder Cup taking shape – even under water.
Ryder Cup because there are such huge crowds
for so few matches.
Wales Open winner Jeppe
Huldahl with the trophy,
while the water drains
away on the Twenty Ten
Course.
sportingwales
issue7twothousand&nine
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