THERE were mixed fortunes for the home favourites on day one of the Wales Open at the Celtic Manor.

Stuart Manley and Jamie Donaldson are well placed on the leaderboard and Newport’s Phillip Price (-1) is still in contention but the rest of the home contingent all finished over par.

Mountain Ash’s Manley is three shots behind leader Keith Horne on four under par after hitting a 67 yesterday and Donaldson is a shot further back.

Chepstow’s Liam Bond and hotly-tipped Rhys Davies, who finished second here last year, could only manage a one over 72, Sion Bebb hit an 80 and Blackwood’s Bradley Dredge is two over on 73.

“That was one of the worst rounds I’ve played in a long time,” said a disappointed Dredge, who was four over before two late birdies gave his score some respectability.

“I got lucky with a good chip in on the 16th to make par and I actually hit two good shots on the last so it was nice to finish on a bit of a high.

“I think the cut is going to be about level so I’ll need to improve.

“It’s not easy, the greens weren’t at their best in the afternoon, but hopefully I’ll get the better of it on Friday.”

Dredge’s mood was in stark contrast to Manley, who declared himself “over the moon” to be just three shots off the lead.

“I’ve not played well recently and my confidence has been a little bit low but I made some good putts and it felt good,” he added.

“I had a couple of sloppy bogies but I bounced back well and it was nice to play in front of a home crowd.”

Pontypridd’s Donaldson echoed those thoughts after a fine day in the sun.

“I played really well from the word go,” he said.

“I didn’t really miss a shot, apart from the first, and I made a lot of good putts. Overall I’m very happy. I think we got the best of it, when it was calm early on. I’ve been playing nicely over the last few weeks so hopefully it’ll be more of the same this weekend.”

Price, a member of the Celtic Manor course, was also reasonably happy with his one under par round of 70.

“It was a pretty steady start for me. I didn’t too too much wrong but I didn’t make enough birdies,” he said.

“I didn’t think it was too tough, it’s playing the easiest it’s ever played because it’s a little firmer than usual.

“The last six months I’ve made some really good progress and I’ve got to keep that going.

“I’m down here all the time but it’s nice to see a lot of the Ryder Cup team here,” he added.

“Hopefully we can rekindle some of that spirit.

“I’ve got lots of friends and family watching me so it’s good fun for me.”