Local favourites Rhys Davies and Bradley Dredge were satisfied with their opening rounds at the Celtic Manor Wales Open.
Rhys Davies, enjoying a breakthrough year on the European Tour, carded a four-under 67 and said he was pleased with the way he managed his round. “It was a good solid round, I plotted my way around the course very well and put the ball in good positions.
“I felt I was quite conservative today but I felt I was always trying to make a birdie. I hit a lot of good putts that didn’t go in,” said Davies who finished two shots of leader Chris Wood.
Bradley Dredge likewise, said he was “all in all very pleased with the start” after going one-better than Davies with a five-under 66. “I drove the ball well, played some good iron shots and putted quite well,” said Dredge who made seven birdies in his morning round.
Much has been made on the rivalry between Wales two top golfers but both Davies and Dredge were relaxed on the issue. “It’s a little different this year with more attention on Rhys. It’s always my intention to be as low-key as I can, so this week’s been a lot easier,” said Dredge.
“It was great to see Dredgey have a good score early on and hopefully the Welsh flag can keep flying,” said Davies.
Both players are in range of a Ryder Cup spot and both have one-eye on playing in the biggest golf tournament, this year on their home soil. “The Ryder Cup is massive for me,” said Dredge, who is playing more tournaments this year to gain more ranking points, “hopefully there’s a way to go yet so I’ll keep practising and see what’s what.”
Davies says he isn’t thinking about the Celtic Manor showpiece in September. “It hasn’t crossed my mind. There’s so many big tournaments between now and then. My objective is to win tournaments and if I do that then the ranking lists and money lists will look after themselves.”
By Alex Winter, at the Celtic Manor Resort
