Wales set to host golf's 2014 Seniors Open

Ian Woosnam was second at the 2009 Welsh Seniors Open at Royal Porthcawl

Golf's Senior Open Championship will be played in Wales in July 2014, returning between 2015 and 2024.

Some of the biggest names in golfing history are to play at the famous Royal Porthcawl course in the first event.

Big names such as Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer and Greg Norman are expected to boost the sport's profile in Wales.

Royal Porthcawl is likely to host warm-up events before the 2014 28th Seniors Open and become the 12th course to host the prestigious senior tournament.

The exact dates and venues of the two additional events held between 2015 and 2024 are yet to be confirmed, although one of those will also be at Royal Porthcawl.

The links course, on the Bristol Channel coast, has staged the 1995 Walker Cup, the 1961 British Masters and the Welsh golf classic in the early 1980s.

Peter Dawson, chief Executive of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club, said: "The R&A is delighted that the Senior Open Championship is to be staged in Wales and in particular at Royal Porthcawl.

"It is one of Britain's finest links courses with a rich history of staging events at the highest level.

"We can be confident of an enthusiastic and warm welcome in 2014 when the Championship comes to Wales for the first time."

George O'Grady, chief executive of The European Tour, added: "The European Tour has a strong affinity with golf in Wales - Brian Huggett, Dai Rees and Ian Woosnam have all been Ryder Cup captains.

"And we are delighted that, on the field of competition, history is again in the making with the Senior Open Championship coming to Wales for the first time.

"Royal Porthcawl is a wonderful course that has hosted many outstanding events.

"Each year the field for the Senior Open Championship strengthens in depth - and with players like Colin Montgomerie and Davis Love III soon becoming eligible we are confident the event will continue to grow in popularity for the players and spectators alike."

The Senior Open is to be played at Royal Porthcawl after Wales successfully held the 2010 Ryder Cup.

Welsh golf fans are likely to welcome the event after the ladies, Wales seniors and challenge tour events were scrapped in 2011.

However, the Wales Senior Open will return in 2012 at Conwy Golf Club, before resuming at Porthcawl in 2013.