SIX-time major winner Nick Faldo will make his debut at the Celtic Manor Wales Open this year.

Europe's most successful golfer of all time, with over 42 titles to his credit, will make his first appearance at the Wales Open when the 2005 tournament tees-off on the resort's Roman Road course on June 2.

Faldo, who won the Open Championship in 1987, 1990 and 1992, will be keen to impress at the venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup, as he is confirmed to be Ryder Cup captain in 2008.

Faldo, who is also the only British player to have won three green jackets at the US Masters, won his last major in 1996 after a sensational final-day Augusta showdown with Greg Norman.

The four-time PGA Championship winner becomes the second big name to confirm his entry in this year's tournament after Colin Montgomerie, whose appearance the Argus exclusively revealed last week.

But it is Faldo's entry which is certain to attract interest. He is without question the biggest name in the game to appear at the Wales Open so far.

Celtic Manor owner Sir Terry Matthews has made no secret of his desire to increase the prestige of the tournament, hoping to attract the top American players once the renovation of the Wentwood Lakes course is complete.

The unveiling of Faldo should go some way to turning this dream into a reality, as the popularity and pull of Faldo is huge throughout Europe and in the US, where he has become a mainstay of the PGA circuit.

The Argus can also reveal that Jon Phelps, vice president of marketing and strategy at the Celtic Manor Resort, has been appointed director of the Celtic Manor Wales Open.

Phelps takes the place of Andy Stanton who, having been chairman of the Celtic Manor Wales Open since its inception in 2000, has retired to focus on his business interests.

Phelps' first task in his new role was to confirm the entry of Faldo in this year's tournament.

"It is a real boost for the tournament to be able to announce that the most successful British golfer of all time will be taking part in the 2005 event," he said.

"I'm a great admirer of Nick's achievements in golf and am well aware of how dedicated he is."