Bradley Dredge has won two European Tour titles

Ryder Cup hero Phil Price predicts a home win for Bradley Dredge at this year's Wales Open.

The 34-year-old Welshman was runner-up to South African Richard Sterne at the Celtic Manor last year but Price believes Dredge can go one better.

Price said: "Bradley is playing well and I believe he will come good at the Wales Open this week.

"He played beautifully last year but finished second so it proves that Bradley likes staying at home."

Dredge has not won a European Tour tournament since beating Sergio Garcia to the Omega European Masters crown in Switzerland in September 2006.

But 2005 World Cup winner Dredge finished tied eighth at the Irish Open earlier this month.

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Price is enduring a form crisis as the Welshman has not secured a top ten finish since his ninth place at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in January 2007.

Dredge, though, is looking to build on his two most successful years in his ten-year professional career.

"The Wales Open is one of the highlights of my year," said Dredge.

"It's always great fun to play in with the way we are looked after here and all the support that we home players receive from the fans.

"It was great to be in such strong contention last year and an absolute thrill to be leading the tournament during the final round. Hopefully, I can finish the job this year."

The 2008 Wales Open is the maiden event on the Celtic Manor's new Twenty Ten course that will host the Ryder Cup in two years time.

Celtic Manor owner and millionaire businessman Sir Terry Matthews has invested �20m to create a course fit for Tiger Woods and co.

And the 2008 tournament boasts the strongest field in the Wales Open's nine-year history.

Ryder Cup stars Darren Clarke, David Howell and Paul McGinley, Colin Montgomerie and Robert Karlsson will join Open champion Padraig Harrington at this year's �1.8m Wales Open, starting on Thursday.

Harrington admitted: "I've watched the tournament go from strength to strength in recent years and I'm looking forward to making my debut.

"It also gives me an opportunity to get an early look at the course which will stage the next Ryder Cup in Europe and I've heard a lot of good things about it.

"I hear that it should provide a great challenge which will hopefully suit my game and provide good preparation for the tough conditions we can expect at the US Open a couple of weeks later.

"Last year was quite a year for me with everything that happened at Carnoustie and I've enjoyed a fantastic reception all over the world since winning The Open Championship.

"I'm sure the fans in Wales will give me a special Celtic welcome and I hope to give them something to cheer about in return."

Price is himself a Ryder Cup immortal after his crucial putt beat the then world number two Phil Mickelson at The Belfry in 2002 to inspire a European victory over the Americans.

And Price has played the new Celtic Manor course and admitted: "I'm surprised how good it is.

"Unfortunately, as it's new, the Welsh boys won't have any home advantage but the course is tough and the greens are unforgiving.

"The Celtic Manor is a great venue, has great facilities, a great clubhouse and a quality course - it doesn't get any better than this."