Luke Donald has backed Welshman Rhys Davies as a star of the future.
Price reckons his countryman is 'best putter in the world'
Luke Donald has backed Welshman Rhys Davies as a star of the future.
Since the start of March the European Tour rookie has had a win, two runners-up finishes - in the latest of them he lost by a shot to Donald at the Madrid Masters on Sunday - and a third place.
He is closing in on a place in the Ryder Cup team and could move up to seventh on the standings with victory in his home open at Celtic Manor this week.
"He will win many times," English Ryder Cup star Donald said of Davies, after they battled head-to-head for the last 36 holes in Madrid.
"This was my time, but he is a very tough competitor. He put a lot of pressure on me.
"He is very impressive - he has a great putting stroke and was very solid off the tee."
If Davies makes the team it will be a major boost for the host country when the Ryder Cup match returns to Europe at the Celtic Manor - this week's venue - in October
The last shot played by a Welsh golfer in the Ryder Cup was Phillip Price's dramatic winning putt against Phil Mickelson at The Belfry in 2002.
Star
Price has no doubt that Davies has the qualities needed not only to make the team, but also to be a star of it.
"I think people are probably beginning to realise he's the best putter in the world," he said.
What also impresses Price is "his mind, his confidence, the way that he deals with pressure" and he adds: "I love what's doing, so I probably wouldn't advise him to do anything differently."
In the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday, Davies partners defending champion Jeppe Huldahl and Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, another looking to continue his form after closing with a 65 for fourth place at the weekend.
Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie partners Spanish Open champion Alvaro Quiros and England's Oliver Wilson. Quiros is currently in the last automatic qualifying position and Wilson, a debutant two years ago, four places below him.
