BRADLEY Dredge began his 131st Open Championship at the 'civilised' time of 10.45 this morning and admittied to being slightly nervous about the round ahead.

The Blackwood golfer had no complaints about his tee-off time which was just under four hours after the first group of Peter Baker, Des Smyth and South African James Kingston started the tournament at 7am.

"Today's start is quite civilised," said Dredge. "But I don't really like having to wait around most of the day like I will on Friday (when he tees-off at 3.41pm).

"Undoubtedly I will feel nervous when it all begins but I don't feel any undue pressure not like some of the big names in the tournament."

That's some statement considering the advances that Dredge has made in the game over the last couple of months.

The Blackwood golfer is currently 20th in the Volvo Order of Merit and has had several high profile finishes including second place at the Smurfit Irish Open a fortnight ago. But for a golfer who admitted that he consider giving up the game last year, the pressure is diminished by the realisation that things are finally coming right.

"I went through a period when I wondered whether or not it was really worth it," he said. "Silly mistakes were costing me quite a lot of money and I got tired of having to battle constantly.

"But it's come right this season and I feel that I'm only going to get better." The first Welshman to go into action today was former Masters Champion Ian Woosnam who began at 7.33am with Australian Ian Stanley and the talented American Jeff Maggert.

David Park whose inclusion in the Open is a boost for Celtic Manor as he is promoting the Wales Open at every event plays with Gary Evans and Swede Mattias Eliasson at 11.29am today.