WILDCARD pick Lee Westwood has become the latest Ryder Cup player to confirm that he will prepare for the showdown at Gleneagles by competing at the ISPS HANDA Wales Open from September 18-21.

Captain Paul McGinley this week completed his European Team by naming Westwood, Ian Poulter and Stephen Gallacher as his three selections to join the nine players already qualified.

The winner of 23 European Tour titles, this will be Westwood’s ninth consecutive appearance in the Ryder Cup and he will get an early taste of the autumnal British conditions he will face in Scotland at Celtic Manor just a week before.

Former World No 1 Westwood has not played in the Wales Open since 2004 but he returned to Celtic Manor for Europe’s thrilling victory at the 2010 Ryder Cup. He contributed two-and-a-half points to the cause and teamed up with Luke Donald to deliver a 6&5 drubbing to Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker which turned the tide in Europe’s favour in the penultimate session.

He said: “I can’t remember the last time I was as excited as I am now about playing in a regular Tour event. The ISPS Handa Wales Open had always been in the back of my mind as long as I made the team and now that I have, that’s where I’ll be. It’s going to be a great week and perfect preparation.”

Westwood believes captain Paul McGinley has done a magnificent job ensuring that the same Celtic Manor course that hosted the 2010 match is as close as possible to what his European team can expect when they arrive in Gleneagles the following week.

“From everything I know and heard, it’s going to be the ideal place to be and play the week before the Ryder Cup. Paul’s attention to detail will ensure we are all perfectly prepared wherever we are coming from, but I’m thrilled that Wales will be my starting point.

“The Welsh crowd is very knowledgeable and also very vocal in its support. The 2010 event was played in atrocious conditions, but I have never heard so much noise from so many drenched people in my life.

“Hopefully we’ll get a bit of sunshine this time, but whatever the weather, I know I’m going to enjoy myself and hopefully head further north with another win in the bag and ready for anything the Americans can throw at us.”

Welsh debutant Jamie Donaldson has already announced he will be preparing for the Ryder Cup in the same fashion as he bids to become the first Welshman to lift the ISPS HANDA Wales Open title.

With the full playing field yet to be confirmed, a number of other Ryder Cup players are also expected to compete for the £300,000 winner’s prize in Wales.

Past winners include Ryder Cup stars Graeme McDowell, Robert Karlsson, Miguel Angel Jiménez, Ian Poulter, Paul Lawrie and Paul McGinley, who will captain the European team at Gleneagles.

As well as top-class golfing action, the tournament always offers a great value day out for all the family with a tented village including bar, food outlets, shops selling golf merchandise and opportunities for youngsters to try their hand at golf.

The tournament will also showcase the work of ISPS which continues to expand and enhance its blind and disabled golf initiatives, showing that sport has the power to inspire, create hope and transform society.

For further information and tickets, visit www.ispshandawalesopen.com or call 01633 410318.