WALES golfing legend Ian Woosnam (pictured) believes the Wales Open has the potential to become one of the most prestigious events on the European Tour.

The field at this year's four-day £1.5 million extravaganza at Newport's Celtic Manor, which tees-off early tomorrow morning, is the strongest in it's four-tournament history.

But there have been significant withdrawals, defending champion Paul Lawrie forced to pull out with a neck injury and last weekend's Volvo PGA champion Ignacio Garrido of Spain and runner-up Trevor Immelman of South Africa deciding to take a week's rest.

Colin Montgomerie, seven-times Volvo Order of Merit winner, heads the list which includes Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance and fellow Belfry heroes Paul McGinley, Phil Price and Woosnam himself.

The highly promising Paul Casey, recent winner of the Benson and Hedges International Open, is also taking part along with Fredrik Jacobson, Jean Van de Velde and Michael Campbell.

Woosnam, Masters champion and PGA Grand Slam winner back in 1991, accepts the Wales Open has made great strides since its inaugural year in 2000, where prize-money was half of this year's sum, but insists the event will become even more popular with golf's elite when the final five holes of the Wentwood Hills course are changed before the 2010 Ryder Cup

"You can tell by this year's entry list that the Wales Open is becoming more and more prestigious," said 45-year-old Woosnam.

"There is no limit to the event's potential. It can go as far as it wants to.

"The Celtic Manor Resort's chairman Sir Terry Matthews has put his neck out and he needs more and more sponsors to come in and build it up into a world-class tournament.

"The Celtic Manor is a world class resort and when the changes are made to the Wentwood Hills course you'll see a lot more top players come to the Wales Open because it will be a super course then."

Woosnam, vice-captain to Torrance in last year's European Ryder Cup success, also praised Wales Open chiefs for switching the event from August to late May.

"The Wales Open is now the week before the US Open Championship and is in the perfect place," he said.

Woosnam won the first of his 33 European Tour successes back in 1982 when he took the Swiss Open and he is keen to make it 34 on the green, green grass of home.

He said: "It makes a big difference when you come back to Wales because you're in front of your own crowd and this weekend the fans will be wanting a Welshman to win."

Woosnam will be one of seven Welshmen lining up tomorrow along with Bassaleg-based Price, Monmouth's Robert Park, Blackwood-raised Bradley Dredge and Newport's Richard Dinsdale.