Ryder Cup heroes Miguel Angel Jiménez, Ross Fisher and Peter Hanson will tee up in next month’s Saab Wales Open at the Celtic Manor Resort, revisiting the scene of their dramatic victory as part of the European Team last October.
The trio are among the latest stars to confirm their entries in the £1.8m European Tour event, which returns with premium car manufacturer Saab as the new title sponsor from June 2-5.
They will be able to share Ryder Cup memories with the man who secured the winning point, Graeme McDowell, and the man who masterminded the triumph, team Captain Colin Montgomerie, who have both already confirmed their places in the starting field along with the swashbuckling American John Daly.
Defending champion McDowell and Daly get Saab Golf Week off to an early start, as they compete in a 12-strong field alongside Ryder Cup stars Ian Poulter and Paul Casey, US Women’s Open champion Paula Creamer and golfing legends Gary Player, Ian Woosnam and Helen Alfredsson in a brand new event – PowerPlay Golf: Ignition, driven by Saab – on Bank Holiday Monday, May 30. This world-first event sees the launch of PowerPlay Golf’s innovative nine-hole, two-flag golf format.
David Pugh, Saab Great Britain Ltd’s Marketing Director, said: “We are delighted to see the heroes of October’s sensational Ryder Cup victory return for Saab Golf Week at Celtic Manor. I’m sure we’ll see many happy faces during the week when the players and their Captain recall the mighty deeds and team spirit of that sensational Ryder Cup triumph.
“We look forward to all the players creating some new moments of magic on the spectacular Twenty Ten Course, and on Bank Holiday Monday the spectators are in for a real treat as PowerPlay Golf: Ignition begins a full week of tournament action which does not conclude until the Saab Wales Open champion is crowned the following Sunday evening.”
With a smile and a cigar never far from his lips, Jiménez’s relaxed on-course demeanour belies a steely determination when it comes to closing out tournament wins, and the 2005 Wales Open champion tasted victory three times in 2010 before making a telling contribution to Europe’s Ryder Cup success at the Celtic Manor Resort.
Jiménez paired up with Hanson to defeat the energetic American rookies, Jeff Overton and Bubba Watson, in the Fourballs and the popular Spaniard beat Watson again in the Singles to be one of only four European winners on the final day.
Fisher was also a tournament winner in 2010, when he secured his place in The Ryder Cup Team by claiming his fourth European Tour title at the 3 Irish Open. The Englishman won two points out of four on his match debut at the Celtic Manor Resort, combining with Ireland’s Padraig Harrington for important wins against some formidable opponents, including Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk.
Hanson won twice in 2010 – at the Iberdola Open Cala Millor Mallorca, and the Czech Open – to earn his first appearance against the Americans at the Celtic Manor Resort, where he chalked up his first Ryder Cup point in partnership with Jiménez. The Swede finished the season in 17th place in The Race to Dubai.
Other Ryder Cup stars teeing up in the Saab Wales Open include Thomas Björn, one of Montgomerie’s assistants at the Celtic Manor Resort, and former Open champion Paul Lawrie – both of whom have returned to the winner’s circle this season – as well as Oliver Wilson and Søren Hansen.
With more of The European Tour’s leading players expected to confirm their entries in the coming weeks, Saab Golf Week is a rare opportunity for golfing fans in England and Wales to see top tournament action on their doorstep. Tickets for both the Saab Wales Open and PowerPlay Golf: Ignition, driven by Saab are availablehere, with discounts or complimentary tickets on offer to those attending both events.
