Harrington to Play in Celtic Manor Wales Open


Padraig Harrington will play in the Celtic Manor Wales Open June 3-6. The event will be held at Celtic Manor Resort, the host site of the 2010 Ryder Cup.

The three-time major champion will be joined by former Ryder Cup teammate Luke Donald in the field. European caption Colin Montgomerie believes that competing in the $2.66 million tournament will give potential members of his squad an advantage when it comes to facing the Americans in October.

"I want to make every effort to keep Colin happy," the 38-year-old Irishman said. "Obviously I'm trying to make sure I qualify straight-out for the team. I want to be part of that team and being part of that team means throughout the year you've got to make your effort and gel with your teammates."

Other members of the losing 2008 European Ryder Cup team, Graeme McDowell and Oliver Wilson, are also entered in the tournament, which will pay $444,000 to the winner. Previous winners of the European Tour event include Ryder Cup stars Paul Lawrie, Paul McGinley, Ian Poulter, Miguel Angel Jiménez and Robert Karlsson.

Harrington hasn't been quite so lucky in the tournament, missing the cut in his previous appearance two years ago. "I quite like the course at Celtic Manor, it's an interesting course and it's a golf course I think I can do well on," he said. "I didn't have a good run the last time I played it but I wouldn't mind having another crack at that one."