After trying out the new $30 million Twenty Ten course at Celtic Manor that will host the 2010 Ryder Cup, this week’s Wales Open favourite Padraig Harrington said it would hold no fears for the American team.
“Players nowadays understand and are well capable of playing in all conditions and I don’t think there will be anything out there (on the course) they will fear,” the British Open champion told reporters on Wednesday.
“That’s in the same way I don’t think the European players would fear playing what would be termed as a typical U.S.-style course.
“This course is in many ways a U.S.-style course, that will be played in European conditions.”
Holders Europe defend the Ryder Cup when the biennial match is staged in Valhalla, Kentucky in September this year.
Harrington said he preferred to play in Newport for the first time rather than travel across the Atlantic to prepare for the U.S. Open in two weeks’ time.
The Irishman skipped last week’s PGA Championship at Wentworth, the European Tour’s flagship event.
“It (the Wales Open) fits into my schedule,” he said. “I like to build up to the majors and it takes me at least two tournaments to get sharp and focused.
“Here I have two goals in mind, to try and win and play my best. But I also realise that as part of the bigger picture the competitive rounds will help me build towards the U.S. Open (at Torrey Pines in San Diego).”
Harrington stole a march on his rivals this week by playing the course as early as Monday.
Among the other competitors are PGA champion Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain, who plays alongside holder Richard Sterne of South Africa in Thursday’s opening round.
Colin Montgomerie, Darren Clarke, Nick Dougherty, Graeme McDowell and Robert Karlsson also chase the first prize of 376,671 euros ($592,100) while Bradley Dredge flies the flag for Wales.
