BLACKWOOD golfer Bradley Dredge (pictured) flies out to America this weekend where he will start his preparations for his debut in the US PGA Championship.

And the Welshman, who this year won his first European Tour event by winning the Madeira Island Open, is desperate to re-find his form ahead of his first Major in the States.

So the 30-year-old has turned to the services of Cardiff-born American sports psychologist Alan Fine.

Fine works with many of Wales' top golfers, including Ryder Cup hero Phillip Price, and Dredge hopes his services can help him turn the corner.

"It's not as if I'm playing badly, I'm just not playing as well as I can," said Dredge.

"Obviously my last tournament in Sweden (Scandinavian Masters) started pretty badly and I didn't really get over it until the last round.

"But as I said after my exit from the Open at Royal St George's, I don't think I mentally coped with certain aspects of my first round very well.

"My double bogey on hole 9 knocked me for six and I should have been able to re-focus, but I didn't which is where someone like Alan comes in.

"I don't think something like sports psychology is rocket science but there is no doubt it works and I hope it can have an impact with me.

"With golf these days there are a lot of different factors to take into account and preparing yourself mentally is just one thing you have to do.

"Alan knows how to get the best out of me in that department. If I'm feeling down he'll boost my confidence, will help me focus and remind me not to over complicate the way I think about my golf as I'm playing. It's simple things really, but things that are very important to a golfer."

Dredge flies to America on Saturday morning and will spend a couple of days chilling out in New York before starting his preparations for the US PGA championships at the Oak Hill club in Rochester.

"I've always wanted to see New York so I've decided to just take a bit of time seeing the sights before really getting down to some heavy practice.

"It should help me acclimatise as well and I can't wait for it to start," he said.