BRADLEY Dredge is in a supremely confident mood as he tees up in the 131st Open championship at Muirfield tomorrow morning after a series of inspired performances in recent weeks.

But on the eve of one of the greatest championships in the world the Blackwood product spoke of some of the struggles that he has endured since taking the plunge into the paid ranks.

Picking up more than £130,000 in the European Open in Dublin a couple of weeks ago made sure that the former Welsh Amateur champion was exempt from having to qualify for the championship - and that was a mighty relief.

"It's like a circus having to qualify with so few places available but going straight in is just great.

"Not only does it mean that I am assured of some cash but also hopefully the exposure with the television cameras on every hole," said Dredge.

But he revealed how at times the whole business of professional golf had seemed a tremendous struggle. "When you are fighting week-in-week out to make cuts there are occasions when you wonder whether it is all worth it.

"But I always felt there would be one day when I picked up a big prize and moved up the Order of Merit so it was worth keeping on going."

And indeed that big prize at the K Club meant the Welshman moved into top twenty in the Order of Merit.

Dredge begins his Open challenge at 10.45 tomorrow morning with Australian Richard Green and French golfer Jean-Francois Remesy.

And the Blackwood golfer is under no illusions as to the tough task ahead. "Muirfield is a fantastic course, there are rewards if you play well, but play badly and you get punished."