The European Tour has confirmed that the 2004 Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open will be held in the same prime slot on its international schedule as it was this year.

The new schedule published by the Tour yesterday morning announces the tournament date as June 3-6, the week immediately after the Volvo PGA Championship and two weeks before the US Open Championship.

"This is one of the premier slots on the European Tour International Schedule, as proved by the calibre of the players and number of spectators we saw at this year's Wales Open," said Tournament Chairman Andy Stanton.

"We had suffered slightly in the past from being placed too close to some of the top US events. But the 2003 Wales Open attracted names like Colin Montgomerie, Ian Woosnam and Michael Campbell - so the date change obviously paid off."

The 2003 tournament was won by Ian Poulter of England, who led from start to finish to take the event with an 18 under par total of 270. The £250,000 first prize was his fourth European Tour title.

Tied for second place, three shots behind Poulter were Darren Fichardt of South Africa, Jarrod Moseley of Australia and Jonathan Lomas of England.

Last year's tournament also saw a huge amount of homegrown talent compete in the Celtic Manor's show-piece event.

Newport-based Ryder Cup hero Phillip Price and Blackwood's Bradley Dredge, who both enjoyed their best ever year on the European Tour, finished in the top ten at the Celtic Manor and Welshmen Ian Woosnam, Stephen Dodd, David Park, Jamie Donaldson, Mark Mouland and Richard Dinsdale all competed in 2003.