My wife's inspired me - Price

Phil Price (left) with David Park - but he says his non-playing partner is more important

In-form Welshman Phillip Price has revealed why he has hit the best form of his life in time for the inaugural Wales Open.

Price, who says he has had his best ever season with three second places this year, says it is all down to his wife Sandra.

"She's made a big difference and I think she should get a bit of credit," he said.

"People don't realise how much goes on behind the scenes - the amount of bits and pieces that need doing and just general living.

Ian Woosnam - looking for Welsh win

"There is so much going on that I find it distracting and irritating.

"She's taken all that burden off me and all I do is just play golf."

Price lives near the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport which hosts the event starting on Thursday.

And he was full of praise for the new championship course.

"It's a fantastic venue, they have spent a lot of money and made a lot of effort to get it just right.

"They didn't skimp on anything. It's a very long course, and it's quite hilly which could cause problems for some people."

Tough competition

Meanwhile compatriot Ian Woosnam also starts as joint favourite for the competition which offers £750,000 in prize money.

The 1991 Masters champion has not won for three years, but has hit a run of form finishing third and seventh in his last two events.

Woosnam won the second of his 28 tour titles at St Pierre, Chepstow in 1983 and won the Epson Grand Prix at the same venue in 1990.

"It's great to play on home soil and in front of your home crowd," he said.

"It's nice to be back in Wales and it's not before time."

Severiano Ballesteros - hoping for luck in Wales

Competition will be tough for the £125,000 first prize with 2000 Tour winners Gary Orr, Anthony Wall, Roger Chapman, Jamie Spence and Brian Davis also in the field.

Sandy Lyle and Seve Ballesteros are also competing alongside 2001 Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance.

Ballesteros will be looking to improve on a dismal record this year which has seen him miss six out of eight Tour cuts and finish last at the Masters in Augusta to sit only 194th on the European order of merit.

He is ever hopeful of suddenly turning his form.

"It's nice to be back in Wales," said Ballesteros.

"I have nice memories. I won a tournament here in Wales and I remember the spectators being very keen on their golf.

"Little things like that can act as a spur."

The tournament takes place between 8-11 June.