George O'Grady with Europe's Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie

European golf boss George O'Grady says Wales has the potential to host the Open Championship within 20 years.

O'Grady, the chief executive of the European Tour, insists if Wales built a top-class links course it would become an Open candidate.

At the moment there are nine links courses in England and Scotland which are on the Open rota.

"I'd love to see a new links course in Wales and with the Open staged [there] in 20 years' time," said O'Grady.

"There is absolutely no reason in my opinion why the Open Championship should not come [to Wales]."

O'Grady was talking ahead of the 10th Celtic Manor Wales Open and 16 months before the 2010 Ryder Cup comes to Wales.

606: DEBATE Do you think Wales can host the Open Championship?

"The Walker Cup has come to Royal Porthcawl and that is a tremendous golf course. I think there is a tremendous possibility to build a new links course in Wales.

"You probably need the [Welsh] Assembly to think of it and perhaps come up with a commercial partner as well."

Meanwhile, O'Grady hinted that the Wales Open would continue beyond 2010 and that Celtic Manor Resort owner Sir Terry Matthews was keen for an extended contract.

"Terry Matthews wants to continue [the Wales Open]. He very much wants to," confirmed O'Grady.

"He wants to have a lengthy contract. It's the right date for Wales. I would be very disappointed and surprised if it didn't continue."

This year's Open has attracted both Europe and USA Ryder Cup captains Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin.

But Matthews has promised the 2010 Celtic Manor Open will be even bigger and better ahead of the Ryder Cup.

"The 11th Welsh Open will be just a blow out, because most of the top players will want to play this course before they turn up for the Ryder Cup," Matthew said.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version