NINE-YEAR-OLD Jack Singh-Brar will be joining the cream of Europe's professional golfers at the Celtic Manor Wales Open this week - and he can't wait to play to the gallery.

While defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez, Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and 2005 US Open winner Michael Campbell will be competing for a share of the £1.5m purse over the Roman Road course, Jack will be chasing glory in the under-ten section of the Junior Wales Open over the Wentwood Hills 18.

And with tickets to the pro event also allowing spectators to watch the juniors, he's going to find himself well and truly in the spotlight.

Overawed? Not this 24-handicapper.

"Jack is in a competition almost every time he tees it up, whether that be at his home club Bramshaw or somewhere else in the country," said proud dad Ami Singh-Brar. "In fact, he's really looking forward to people watching him play as he wants to hit some good shots and get some applause!"

Although Jack will be playing a different course to the pros, he'll get the opportunity to rub shoulders with them when he takes to the practice ground before his round on Saturday.

Dad Ami, a 17-handicapper, believes the experience will be of great benefit. "I took Jack to Wentworth last year to watch the PGA Championship.

"He looked on at the distance the top players hit the ball with awe, but was very quick to imitate them and increase his own clubhead speed for greater distance.

"He now hits his driver about 180 yards flat out and I'm hoping he might pick up a few more tips in Wales."

Jack qualified for Celtic Manor by coming second at St Pierre in Chepstow - one of four regional qualifying venues. His tally of 27 Stableford points was an impressive performance on such a tough championship course.

Victory would be an early step on what Jack hopes to be a career in golf, his dad adding: "Jack has already told me that he wants to be a PGA Tour pro and follow in the footsteps of his favourite player, Justin Rose.

"That's a long way in the future, but the worst thing that'll happen is that he'll be a good golfer by his mid-teens.

"Anyhow, I'm more concerned that his handicap will soon be lower than mine!"