Welshman Dredge stays ahead in European Open
Welshman Dredge stays ahead in European Open
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Friday, 07, Jul 2006 09:23
Welsh golfer Bradley Dredge leads by one stroke after the second round of the European Open.
Dredge, who celebrated his 33rd birthday yesterday, is on nine-under for the tournament after carding a two-under 70 in strong winds at the K Club in Ireland.
Compatriot Stephen Dodd lies in second place on eight-under, a shot ahead of Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke.
England's Anthony Wall is one of three players in fourth place on six-under par.
But Dredge who has yet to drop a shot at the halfway stage maintained his place at the top of the leaderboard with birdies on the ninth and 15th hole on the Smurfit course.
The Cardiff-born golfer, who hopes to return to the K Club in September to play in the Ryder Cup, said he is pleased with his start but will not get complacent.
“I haven’t made a bogey yet, but I hate to tempt fate. I haven’t played fantastic from tee to green the last few days, but I’ve scrambled really well and I’ve holed some good putts when I needed them and knocked some shots close at the right sort of time."
“Last year I had a good run this time of year as well and I didn’t win. I try not to make a thing of it."
"I just want to go out there and just try to play a bit more aggressive and see what happens and change the strategy a bit.”
Dodd, who partnered Dredge to win the World Cup in Portugal last November, carded a round of 69 and is hoping to add to the Irish Open title he won last year.
Clarke, 37, who won the European Open in 2001, fired six birdies and two bogeys to finish his second round on 68.
Scotland's Colin Montgomerie is on four-under par after a round of 71 a stroke ahead of Englishman Paul Casey who carded a 73.
England's Lee Westwood and reigning champion Kenneth Ferrie narrowly made the cut on one over.