The next three weeks are the most crucial in the golfing season, according to Blackwood's Bradley Dredge.

Dredge tees off tomorrow in the lucrative Deutsche Bank Open in Heidelberg, as does Newport's Phillip Price.

The following weeks both players will be in action again in the Volvo PGA from Wentworth before the Celtic Manor Wales Open June 3-6.

Dredge admits that he is focusing on doing well in all three events which could make or break his ambition to force himself into Ryder Cup contention.

He told the Argus: "All of the next three events include a far bigger than average purse and a consequence of this is that big names are attracted to the tournaments which means large crowds and big expectations.

"The bigger galleries are important, they make for a really good atmosphere and that gives all the players a lift, like in Dubai when Tiger (Woods) and Earnie (Els) played. I did well there and I hope I can enjoy more success in the next three weeks."

Earnie Els will be the biggest name in the Deutsche Bank Open, leading a field that includes 2003 Open winner Ben Curtis and other major winners Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam, Retief Goosen, Sandy Lyle and Jose Maria Olazabal.

Colin Montgomerie, Lee Westwood, Thomas Bjorn and Darren Clarke also play, as will Ireland's Padraig Harrington.

With the field so tough, Dredge is under no illusions about the daunting task ahead.

He said: "If I was honest with myself I would say I have not played particularly well so far this season.

"I made some adjustments to my swing and since doing that I haven't so far found the fluency that I was looking for.

"But my scoring has been pretty good, I have been making cuts and been competitive and shown a solid mental side to my game.

"This will hopefully help me bounce back from last week (Dredge finished 52nd in the British Masters) because that was probably the worst week of my entire year so far golf-wise."

Phillip Price is also looking to shine in Germany and the Ryder Cup hero is positive that he can do so.

He told the Argus: "I like the way that I have been playing but I don't like the results that I have had so far.

"This is the point in the season where it all really starts, the prize money is big and Ryder Cup points are on offer. This is the time for me to be hitting form and I think I am only a tiny tweak away from playing really well."