Padraig Harrington, the Open champion, will get an early look at the remodelled 2010 Ryder Cup course when he makes his debut at the Celtic Manor Wales Open in Newport from May 29 to June 1. Harrington, who has chosen to miss the BMW PGA Championship - the European Tour's flagship event - at Wentworth the week before, said that the tournament fitted perfectly into his build-up to the US Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego two weeks later.

“The ideal preparation for me is two tournaments and then the major,” the Irishman said. “The first [the Wales Open] settles down my game and the second week [the Stanford St Jude Championship in Memphis] allows me to prepare for the third.”

This will be the ninth staging of the Wales Open, which will carry a prize fund of £1.8million.

“This gives me an opportunity to get an early look at the course and I've heard good things about it,” Harrington said. “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.”

What was previously the Wentwood Hills course has been extensively redesigned for the Ryder Cup. No expense has been spared in the creation of nine new holes, together with large viewing areas and a plush new clubhouse. By the time work has been completed on what is now known as the Twenty Ten course, more than £16million will have been spent.

Bradley Dredge will carry Welsh hopes, having been pipped to the title last year by Richard Sterne, of South Africa. Dredge, who finished in a three-way tie for second and is hoping to become the first home winner of the event, said: “The Wales Open is one of the highlights of my year. It's always great fun to play in, [particularly with] all the support that we home players receive. It was great to be in such strong contention last year and an absolute thrill to be leading. Hopefully I can finish the job this year.”