Played at the magnificent Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort the championship was memorable not only because Richard Finch's victory, but by his falling into the River Maigue after hitting his third shot on th 18th. His second shot ended up on the fringe of the riverbank but he still decided to go for the green. The mighty swipe he gave it knocked him off balance, and into the drink he went, much to the amusement of the surrounding specators. His caddie hauled him from the water and, dripping wet, he made his way to the green and took three putts which was enough to bank the 416,000 Euro first prize.

Played between 31st May and 3rd June 2007, the 2007 Wales Open took place at Celtic Manor – venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup – and was won by South Africa’s Richard Sterne who holed a five footer on the 18th to take the £250,000 winner’s cheque – and dash Welsh hopes by edging out the big home favourite Bradley Dredge. Dredge was the joint overnight leader, but having run up an amazing five birdies in a row from the ninth, his drive on 18 clipped a fairway bunker from where he had to chip out short. A superb pitch left him with a six-footer to go into the play-off, but tantalisingly, it caught the lip and just stayed above ground.