BRADLEY Dredge began his challenge for the Dubai Classic at the Emirates Golf club today alongside fellow Welshman Mark Pilkington.

The pair were grouped with Steen Tinning, winner of the inaugural Wales Open. Dredge went into the tournament having had a week off following the Singapore Masters. Despite the rest, the Blackwood golfer is feeling in great shape to make a challenge in the tournament in which he finished in the top ten last year.

"I'm looking forward to Dubai, it's a good tournament and I had a good time here last year," he said.

"My game feels good at the moment, I'm hitting the ball really well and despite my putting being a bit off, taking a break has kept me fresh.

"Despite not having had a chance to practice my short game because of the stae of the weather, I feel in good shape."

Having finished in the top ten last year Dredge was aiming to do better again, but with the likes of Ian Woosnam, Ernie Els and Colin Montgomerie all taking part he conceded it was going to be tough.

"It's a tough field this year," said Dredge. "Obviously, as with any tournament, I'm trying to win, which would be great, but I'll be very happy if I finish in the top ten."

While Dredge was grouped with Pilkington and Tinning, the game of the round saw Ian Woosnam, Colin Montgomerie and defending champion Thomas Bjorn together. Pre-tournament favourite Els continued where he left off on Sunday in the early stages of his first round.

Els claimed his first victory on the USPGA Tour for more than 18 months at the weekend, holding off a final-day charge from Tiger Woods to win the Genuity Championship in Florida.

Beginning on the 10th, Els made the perfect start when his third shot to the par five stopped just short of the pin to set up an easy birdie, and he then saved par on the next from a greenside bunker.

Another birdie on the par-five 13th followed and at two-under, Els was just one shot off the lead.

Holland's Rolf Muntz, England's Barry Lane and Ryder Cup Swede Niclas Fasth were all three under par, but Els was part of a large chasing pack.

Nick Faldo, who missed the cut in Malaysia last week after three top-10 finishes in a row, had also picked up two early birdies playing alongside Fasth, and Justin Rose was also two under after nine holes.

England's Warren Bennett started with a bogey six, but then rolled in a hat-trick of birdies to join the chasing pack.

But Ulsterman Darren Clarke had dropped back to level par with two bogeys coming after he had eagled the 13th.