BLACKWOOD'S Bradley Dredge is taking a fortnight's break from golfing action but he'll be firmly glued to the television when the US Open starts tomorrow.

Dredge narrowly missed qualifying for the tournament at Olympia Fields in Matteson, Illinois, but intends to keep a close eye on events in America.

And the Welsh golfer is backing Padraig Harrington to lift this year's title.

"It's hard to not say Tiger would win it but if I was to back someone then it would have to be Harrington," said Dredge.

"The course could suit him, he's got a good temperament and he should do well. Obviously I would have like to have made the US Open but I realised several weeks ago that I wasn't going to make it so I've forgotten about it.

"It has actually worked out quite well that I've got two weeks off because I can watch it on the TV."

Dredge was in action last weekend at the Forest of Arden and following his final round nightmare the Blackwood born golfer is happy to be taking a break.

"I found after the Celtic Manor that I was mentally very drained and physically quite tired.

"But I still went to the Forest of Arden and perhaps that was a mistake. I normally only do four tournaments in a row, but this time I did five and that took it out of me a little," he said.

"The Wales Open in particular was quite draining because of all the local pressure I was under.

"But I felt with four of the five tournaments being in Britain and the other in Germany I'd be able to handle it, but perhaps it was mistake.

"And I think I paid the price on Sunday when I had three triple bogeys on the final nine holes.

"Considering how strange it is to get one double bogey, then that shows how tired I was. "I still feel I'm playing well but I'm not at the top of my game and at this level you get punished.

"However, at least I'm making the fourth day and that's more than some golfers can say." Dredge will take a one week complete rest from golf and then spend one week practising before a run of four tournaments.

"The rest will do me good but I can't really afford to take two weeks off," admitted Dredge.

"So I'll spend a week practising before I start the four tournaments (the French Open, the European Open, the Scottish Open and the British Open).

"By the time the British Open comes around I should be on top of my game and back to my best."