Dredge takes early lead at Desert Classic
BY iseekgolf.com | European PGA Tour | 2004 Dubai Desert Classic | Round One | 05 Mar 2004
A winter spent honing his game in the back garden paid off for Bradley Dredge as the Welshman opened his 2004 Dubai Desert Classic campaign with a blistering eight-under-par 64.
Making only his third appearance of the year, Dredge proved that a winter away from golf is no bad thing as he opened up a three-shot lead over former Classic champion David Howell. Another former winner of the Dubai Aluminium-sponsored event, Australia’s Richard Green was a further shot adrift on 68 (-4).
“I always go on quite a long break over Christmas and the New Year, have three weeks off and then go to South Africa to practice for the season ahead,” said the 30-year-old from Tredegar. “Last year I had a golf green put in the back garden and it’s like a carpet so I can work a lot on my putting. But it’s not covered so if it snows I have to go out with a shovel and clear it off.”
Inclement weather is obviously no distraction for Dredge – yesterday’s opening round to the $2 million tournament was delayed by over two hours due to a thick blanket of fog which enveloped the Majlis Course at the Emirates Golf Club. It meant a back up of matches with 72 players still on the course and unable to complete their opening rounds by the time play was halted for the day.
Among those still to complete 18 holes is world number one Tiger Woods who carried a huge gallery with him as he made his first appearance in the Gulf for three years.
But it was a mixed day for the American as his first birdie of the day on the ninth was immediately cancelled out with interest when he shot a double bogey seven on the 10th. Woods will return to the course at 7.15am tomorrow to complete the last six holes of his opening round before starting round two.
Meanwhile, world number three Ernie Els eased his way into the tournament with an opening round 70 (-2) that sees him six behind the leader. “I made some mistakes, I guess that’s a bit of rust but all in all I’m happy with it,” said Els. “I didn’t play well for my front nine and then made a few mistakes on my back nine so to shoot a two under isn’t a bad start.”
The world number three was also quick to shoot down the much hyped Woods/Els clash for the title. “There are 150 players in the field and the best score is going to win the tournament,” he added. “Everyone that plays here has a chance to win and the golf course is the hurdle you have to get over.”
For some that hurdle can prove just a little too high. For local hopes Andrew Whitelaw and amateur Butch Kamps it was a tough opening day with Emirates Golf Club captain Kamps posting an 80 ( 8) and Whitelaw – the club’s head professional – a 78 ( 6).
Other opening rounds of note included a 70 (-2) for Lee Westwood, a disappointing 73 ( 1) for the 2001 champion Thomas Bjorn, while Darren Clarke had to settle for an opening round level par 72.
Play will now resume at 7.15am tomorrow with a delay of one hour and fifteen minutes to all planned second round starting times with the first time being 8.15am.
Source – Dubai Golf
Photo – Jon Walley / Dubai Desert Classic
