New August date for Wales Open will begin Ryder Cup qualification

The 2013 Wales Open will move to a new date in August, beginning the race for qualification for the 2014 Ryder Cup.

Next year's event will take place at Celtic Manor Resort, Newport from 29 August-1 September.

"We are delighted to have secured a new date for the [event]," said Celtic Manor Resort chief executive Dylan Matthews.

"[It] has been played in late May and early June every year since 2003 and it will give the event fresh impetus."

However, it was played in August in 2001 and 2002.

Ryder Cup stars Graeme McDowell, Robert Karlsson, Miguel Angel Jiménez, Ian Poulter, Paul Lawrie and Paul McGinley are among the past champions and Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee claimed the €372,720 first prize in 2012.

"With the drama of Europe's nail-biting Ryder Cup victory here still so strong in the memory, it is very exciting that the new date means the ISPS Handa Wales Open will be the first counting event for the next team," added Matthews.

"I'm sure many of the leading players on The European Tour will be anxious to give their hopes of qualification the best possible start by securing the first prize at the Wales Open."

Organisers will hope the August date will give the event greater impetus, especially as there is uncertainty over the future of the Wales Open.

The current contract is due to expire in 2014.

Celtic Manor staged the 2010 Ryder Cup which saw Europe secure a dramatic 14½-13½ victory over the United States.

Meanwhile, The Wales Senior Open will also move to a new date on the European Senior Tour schedule.

It returns to Royal Porthcawl Golf Club from June 14-16, 2013 for the first time since 2010.