Bradley Dredge is confident he can make his mark in his first ever US PGA tournament, despite recent poor form.

Blackwood's Dredge has had a successful season on the Euro-pean Tour but has struggled in the majors.

Although he doesn't know a great deal about American courses, he still feels he can cope with the challenge the Rochester's Oak Hill course will present.

"I'm not hugely experienced on American courses but I've been here for a week now and I've worked hard," said Dredge.

"I'm really looking forward to it starting. It's been a long time coming.

"Although the course isn't exactly the same as those in Europe, the way it's set-up does suit me.

"Normally, the way they set up the greens makes putting near impossible, it's almost like putting on glass. But they've ignored the temptation to make them relatively unplayable and that suits me just fine."

Dredge returns to action having taken a week off to acclimatise to the conditions in New York.

And the Welsh golfer is hoping the final major of the year will be kinder to him than the last.

"The Open at Royal St George's is forgotten, I didn't play very well on a few holes and I got punished.

"But that's all part and parcel of playing a major. When you play one it's meant to be hard as it's supposed to be the toughest test and I'm ready for the challenge."

In fact, European golfers have enjoyed a fair amount of success at the Oak Hill County Club course in recent years. Eight years ago it was the scene of Europe's Ryder Cup victory under the captaincy of Bernard Gallacher.

Dredge is one of seven golfers who will be making their debut in the US PGA tournament this summer. He joins Brian Davis, Luke Donald, Gary Evans, Alastair Forsyth, Trevor Immelman and Frederik Jacobson.

Dredge's fellow Welshman Phillip Price also returns to action after a two-week break. Last weekend's winner of the Nordic Open in Denmark Ian Poulter will be looking to continue his recent fine form and is one of 43 European players hoping to steal American Rich Beem's crown.