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Monty to play in Wales Open

London - Rival Ryder Cup captains Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin will play in this year's Wales Open at Celtic Manor, venue for the 2010 match between Europe and the US

The Twenty Ten course, specifically built to host the Ryder Cup, is to stage the Wales Open between June 4-7.

Pavin, named Paul Azinger's successor as United States skipper in December, will be getting his first look at the Newport layout.

"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," the 49-year-old American said in a news release.

"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 Wales Open as well as imagining how it may be set up for the Ryder Cup."

Pavin, the 1995 US Open champion, is known for his bulldog competitiveness but wants to make sure the biennial match between the US holders and Europe is played in the correct manner. "I am determined to lead our team with passion and determination but in the spirit of great sportsmanship and camaraderie," he said.

"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."

Montgomerie said he was looking forward to seeing Pavin in Newport. "Throughout his career Corey has shown himself as a great competitor and I am sure, like me, he will be striving to win the Wales Open as well as looking ahead to his own plans for next year's Ryder Cup," said the 45-year-old Scot.

"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."

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