Newport's Ryder Cup hero Philip Price has chosen not to play the British Masters this week after a hectic flag flying trip to the Orient left him exhausted.

Price 37, flew to China last week along with two other Ryder Cup legends, Ian Woosnam and Nick Faldo to compete in the inaugural Volkswagon Masters at the Pine Valley Golf Club in Beijing.

A third place finish in the event vindicated the decision of Price to take the gruelling trip during the season, but the whole competition was more important than merely winning or losing.

The event came on the back of concerted efforts to promote golf in Asia and Price believes the trip was a real success for all concerned.

He told the Argus: "Golf is new to China but obviously it has huge potential and the tournament was staged excellently.

"I think it was important for them to have the Europeans playing in the competition and we were all very well received which was very nice.

"I also competed in a skins match while I was in China and the whole ten day trip was a success, very well organised.

"It has left me tired, as a lot of travelling tends to do, so the next tournament for me will be the Deutsche Bank German Open in two weeks time."

Last month Price competed in his first US Masters and he admits that the nature of his season is different than in previous years because of his appearances in the majors.

He said: "I have exemptions for all of the majors this year so qualification is not an issue and I can look forward to them and build things around them.

"I have made it clear that I want to force my way into the Ryder Cup side but at the moment my priority is my game.

"This is a vital period of the season for any player and everyone wants to start playing well now because then you know you can really do something in the season.

"I am looking to get a couple of weeks practice under my belt which should help me.

"It is very important to get the balance right between getting enough rest and getting enough practice and making sure you are fresh for tournaments.

"Certain players have to juggle very difficult and demanding schedules and that can make things difficult."

l Blackwood's Bradley Dredge faces a battle to make the cut in the British Masters at Forest of Arden Golf Course in Warwickshire.

The Ryder Cup hopeful carded a first round one-over par 73 yesterday to lie seven shots adrift of leader David Howell who fired a six-under 66.

Dredge, who is one of the later starters this afternoon, will have to shoot a sub-70 round to make the weekend but Monmouth's David Park faired one shot better after a level-par 72, while Ian Woosnam (70) and Stephen Dodd (71) are well placed.