Golf-Celtic Manor course is not that tricky - Pavin

By Norman Dabell

CASARES, Spain, Oct 29 (Reuters) - The Celtic Manor course for next year’s Ryder Cup should hold few fears for the U.S. team, American captain Corey Pavin said on Thursday.

While Pavin is preparing for a backlash from Europe after last year’s U.S. victory, he will not be urging his players to visit the Welsh course before next October’s match as some of his predecessors have with European venues in the past.

“Celtic Manor is not a course that requires a lot of practice rounds,” Pavin told reporters on Thursday at Finca Cortesin during this week’s World Matchplay Championship.

“It’s not that tricky, very straightforward,” Pavin added. “There would not be a lot to learn out there by playing it 10 times before the match. Three times and you’ll be all right.

“I can’t really expect my players to come out to Europe, go back to play the Tour Championship and then come back out to play the match.”

By contrast, Pavin’s counterpart Colin Montgomerie has said he will be emailing his potential players next year to encourage them to play the 2010 Wales Open at Celtic Manor to get a feel for the course.

Pavin, hoping to name his four wildcards at least three weeks before the match, also said he had picked up a few ideas for pairings from the U.S. team’s recent Presidents Cup success.

“I was glad to see Tiger (Woods) play with someone else but even more interested to see how Sean (O’Hair) reacted to the Presidents Cup. It can be a tough tournament,” said Pavin.

The U.S. captain has played five rounds at Celtic Manor himself, including this year’s Wales Open and is due to make at least another visit to the Welsh course before the 2010 match.

(Editing by Ed Osmond; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)