THE pressure is building on European stars Bernhard Langer, Jose Maria Olazabal, Sergio Garcia and Angel Jimenez to enter the Wales Open at the Celtic Manor next month.

They are all outside the top ten in the Ryder Cup standings with eight tournaments remaining.

So with points at stake at the Celtic Manor, a major influx of top European golfers could yet happen with over a week to go before the closing date for entries. Other major names yet to declare are Ian Woosnam, Colin Montgomerie and Jasper Parnevik.

So far 12 of the leading 25 in the Ryder Cup standings are on the start list, Open runner-up Niclas Fasth, lying sixth, Phil Price (8), Paul McGinley (9), Andrew Coltart (10), Andrew Oldcorn (13) and Tomas Levet (19) among them.

"The cat is among the pigeons now and players like Garcia and Parnevik could well come in. And there is every possibility Monty will play," said Celtic Manor director of golf Jim McKemzie.

"Some players with Ryder Cup ambitions thought they were safe, but they're going to have to play and it's getting pretty exciting."

Tournament committee chairman Andy Stanton said, "The Ryder Cup team qualification issue lends an extra dimension to the event, and with still over a week to go we're anticipating at least a few more big names will sign up."

On current form Langer and Garcia would be the two wild entries for the Ryder Cup. Langer is 11-8 to make it, but Woosnam is only 13-8.

Changes have been made to the Celtic Manor course since last year's inaugural event. "We have rebuilt the 15th, put two new bunkers in on 16 and modified the 16th green," said McKenzie.

"We have a two-tier hospitality unit this year with 30% more grandstand space and more sponsors, so things are shaping up.

"Last year was the third or fourth largest turn-out which was a fantastic effort in the first year. Now the prize money is up to £1m."