Change of date for Wales Open

Ian Woosnam in action at last June's Wales Open

The Wales Open has been put back next year and will be played at Celtic Manor in August.

The new date means the Wales Open takes the calendar slot occupied by the British Masters this year.

It will be one of the last events before Europe's Ryder Cup team for 2001 is named and the money from this event could play a major part in deciding who is selected.

This year's event was heralded by European Tour officials as a major success.

More than forty thousand spectators turned up to watch the inaugural tournament back in June, as Denmark's Steen Tinning beat a strong field including Ian Woosnam, Sam Torrance and Sandy Lyle to take the title.

The tournament's prize money is being increased from £750,000 to £1million.