EVERYONE knows the 2010 Ryder Cup is coming to Newport, but an outspoken public figure in Cardiff wants to grab the glory for his own city.

Prominent figures in Newport have hit out at comments by Russell Goodway, who used to lead Cardiff city council and is now chief executive of the capital's Chamber of Commerce.

He said the Ryder Cup may be held at the Celtic Manor Resort but "with all respect to my colleagues in Newport" they would be "aggressively marketing" the major sporting event as being in Cardiff.

David Russ, managing director of Newport Chamber of Commerce, accused Mr Goodway of trying to use sensationalism to raise both his profile and that of the organisation he now works for.

"What is particularly disappointing about this is that for some time there has been a co-ordinated, cohesive approach to the Ryder Cup which is led by the Welsh Development Agency, the Assembly leadership, the Tourist Board and local authorities in South Wales.

"Clearly there are going to be benefits for the whole of South Wales not just Newport or Cardiff."

Rosemary Butler, AM for Newport West, said: "It's a capital city trying to take in all the good things happening outside the city but not sharing all the good things happening inside it. I just think it's a ruddy cheek.

"We are disadvantaged because we are so close to Cardiff. Therefore it is rather cheeky that they try to filch anything good we are doing in Newport."

John Griffiths, Newport East AM, said: "I think the coming of the Ryder Cup to Newport is a fantastic opportunity not just for the city but for the whole of Wales in terms of tourism and business."

He said it was not helped by Mr Goodway's comment, to suggest the event was being held in Cardiff was factually wrong and, at best, mischievious.