BRADLEY Dredge was looking on the bright side after a disappointing day at the Celtic Manor Wales Open yesterday - at least he got to watch Miguel Angel Jimenez storm to the top of the leaderboard!

Blackwood's Dredge, who shot a level par 69, said he felt like he spent his entire first round congratulating the popular Spaniard, who dazzled the crowd with a sparkling 63.

He explained: "I was disappointed in myself today but I did enjoy the company of David Howell and Miguel Jimenez, they are both really nice guys.

"All the way around we were chatting, but it felt like all I was saying was 'good shot' to Jimenez, because he played great."

Dredge remains confident that he can still have a profitable week if he can overcome his fatigue.

Dredge admitted that four successive tournaments on the bounce (in which he has finished no lower than 24th) have left him physically and mentally drained to such an extent, that he almost considered pulling out.

"If this event was any other tournament then I'd have given it a miss and had a rest," he said.

"The BMW last week really took it out of me and I just didn't feel prepared.

"I didn't play well, but luckily my putting was good and that keeps me in contention.

"Tomorrow I will be more prepared and will make sure I am engaged, in gear and ready to go."

His playing partner Jimenez was far more satisfied with his afternoon and is already looking towards the weekend and winning the tournament.

The amiable Spaniard explained: "I played very solidly with all 14 clubs in the bag. I hit my irons very well and made some decent putts.

"I still feel I left some shots out there but I holed two big putts from about seven metres on 16 and 17 with a lot of break, I feel good on the golf course and hopefully this week is going to be about me getting the results."

Jimenez was joined on six-under by Englishmen David Lynn, James Heath and Gary Emerson.

It was a remarkable round from 22-year old Heath, who wasn't even scheduled to play at the event until last week.

Heath, who is an alumni from Nick Faldo's 'team Faldo series,' only received an invitation to play this week after Faldo himself put in a call.

Heath explained: "A phone call from Nick Faldo can go a long way as he obviously has quite a lot of pull. "I was pleased with how I played, I am trying really hard to get into the one shot at a time routine and that is how I like to play golf."

While Heath's round was disciplined and well constructed, David Lynn's play was spectacular, he birdied all five of the difficult par-three holes.

Gary Emerson was also in cracking form, coming home in 30 to join Jimenez and co.

Stephen Dodd finished on two-over par while Jamie Donaldson continued his good form on his way to a 67.

Stuart Manley was disappointed after firing a three-over par 72, although Matthew Prior will be even more dejected after a nightmare round of 77.

Celtic Manor professional Chris Baron also struggled, coming back in 43 to card a 79, the worst round of the day.