THE waiting is over and the Ryder Cup committee has confirmed what the whole of Gwent knew - Wales and the Celtic Manor had the best bid and the 38th Ryder Cup is coming to Newport in 2010.

The official announcement was made at 1pm by the Ryder Cup committee.

But Wales had already been acknowledged as the winners several hours earlier by sources close to both the Scottish and English bids.

Earlier this week Gavin Hastings, head of Scotland's bid, effectively admitted defeat to Wales and last night the Scottish Executive, a powerful force behind his country's bid, also conceded.

Two weeks ago bookmakers William Hill stopped taking bets on the outcome following a clamour to back the Newport resort.

Members of Wales' Ryder Cup committee kept tight-lipped about the announcement right up to the last minute, but are hosting a press conference which will be held this afternoon at the Celtic Manor.

The announcement is the culmination of a dream for Celtic Manor owner Sir Terry Matthews, pictured,who has spent countless hours and millions of pounds working towards bringing golf's most prestigious event to Wales.

And it will cost a further £12 million to build the new holes required to bring the Wentwood Hills course up to Ryder Cup standard.

The Celtic Manor started as an outsider because it didn't have a course yet built, but the resort and surrounding transport infrastructure are believed to have swung the decision in Wales' favour.

It will be only the second time that a course that hasn't yet been built has been awarded the tournament. The previous occasion was in America in 1991, when the 'War on the Shore' Ryder Cup was held at the newly-built Kiawah Island.

With this year's tournament postponed until 2002 by the awful events in America, the knock-on effect means the Ryder Cup will now come to Wales in 2010 and not 2009 as previously planned.

The Welsh bid to host the cup has fought off serious competition from Northumberland's Slaley Hall, as well as Scotland's Turnberry, Gleneagles, Carnoustie and Loch Lomond.

Now Wales is set to benefit from the financial rewards of hosting the world's third biggest sporting event behind the Olympics and football's World Cup.

With local businesses and commerce set to reap the rewards, holding the Ryder Cup will put Newport and Wales firmly on the map.