Montgomerie and Pavin to play in

Celtic Manor Wales Open in June

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOUR
Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin, the captains of Europe and the United States for the 2010 Ryder Cup match, will come together in a competitive arena for the first time since their respective appointments when they line up in the Celtic Manor Wales Open from June 4-7 at The Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, South Wales.
Montgomerie, who was selected as European captain in January, will be playing in his seventh Celtic Manor Wales Open and competing for the second time on the Twenty Ten Course – the first course in history built specifically to host The Ryder Cup – where last year he opened with rounds of 69 and 68.
For Pavin, who took over the reins from Paul Azinger last December, it will be his first visit to the Celtic Manor Resort and his first look at a course where his charges will tackle Montgomerie’s European Team from October 1-3, 2010.
Not surprisingly, the 49-year-old Californian admitted he was very much looking forward to the prospect.
“When I was appointed United States Ryder Cup captain I spoke of what a great thrill it was for me to have this wonderful honour,” he said. “The Ryder Cup is the most dynamic and intense experience a competitive golfer will ever have and for me personally, the dream will begin to become reality with my trip to Wales in June.
“I have heard a lot of great things about the Twenty Ten Course and I cannot wait to see how it is set up for the Celtic Manor Wales Open as well as imagining how it may be set up for The Ryder Cup itself in 18 months time.
“I started my professional golf career in Europe and have extremely fond memories of those days and the wonderful people that I encountered along the way. I look forward to bringing my wife, Lisa, to Wales and connecting with the people.
“As captain of the US team, I am determined to lead with passion and determination, but in the spirit of great sportsmanship and camaraderie. In these tough global economic times, particularly, we need to keep this wonderful event in perspective. Don’t be surprised to find us hanging out in pubs the week of the Wales Open, enjoying friendly banter about the possibilities of 2010.
“Colin and I have met each other on three occasions in the Ryder Cup and it will be great to see him again. We are both passionate guys with a genuine love for the game and it will be fantastic to play in the same tournament together on the same course where we will both have the honour of being Captains in what I believe is the greatest event in golf.”
Montgomerie admitted he was once again looking forward to teeing it up in The Celtic Manor Wales Open and welcomed the news that his opposite number would be alongside him in the field.
“It is tremendous news that Corey is playing and Gaynor and I look forward very much to welcoming him and Lisa to Wales,” said the European captain. “Throughout his career, Corey has shown himself as a great competitor and I am sure, like me, he will be striving to win the Celtic Manor Wales Open as well as looking ahead to his own plans for next year’s Ryder Cup.
“I always enjoy playing in The Celtic Manor Wales Open. It has additional significance as we are playing on the course where next year’s Ryder Cup will unfold. 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.”