DEFENDING champion Thongchai Jaidee believes the ISPA Wales Open is one of the most difficult to predict tournaments on the entire European Tour, writes Michael Pearlman.

The popular Thailand-star believes the 2010 Course at the Celtic Manor, designed specifically for the Ryder Cup, provides the ultimate test as conditions are always changing.

Jaidee will bid to become the first player ever to retain the Wales Open when it gets underway tomorrow.

“I have some very fine memories must come back to my mind being here from last year, yeah, it's going to be tough for everyone though,” he said.

“I remember when I won last year, I really remember that time, come to more than one year, I think look back, it can be totally different now. The course, it looks very good right now. The green is good. The condition is fantastic right now.

“I'm trying to get this one back again. The course looks nice and the weather hopefully better than last year. Different time right now, I think perfect time this time. I think it's going to be fun this week.”

Jaidee feels confident he can get the better of the tricky conditions.

“My feeling is very well, I played quite good last week, but come this week, (I will) try again,” he said.

I think it's going to be a good challenge anyway. I think I love the course. The course I think right now is fantastic. I played a couple holes in the course, about five or six, and the greens is much better than last year I think.

“The course looks great and my golf game right now, getting better. Golf, you never know. I will try my best anyway.”

Jaidee is trying to qualify for the Presidents Cup (the international version of the Ryder Cup where America face the Rest of the World), and the Wales Open is his last chance, the team selection next Wednesday.

“Yeah, I think it's going to be announced this week after The Wales Open, next Wednesday,” he confirmed.

“For me, I think it gives me a good chance, one more week, if I play well, get into Top 10. But if not, I don't know what's going on. I'm trying; my thing is play well this week, and if not, no problem, another tournament to get Top 50 in the World Ranking, anyway. That's my key goal for the year, Top 50 in the World Ranking, that's a key goal for me. If not Presidents Cup, if not, no problem.”