BLACKWOOD’S Bradley Dredge is gunning for glory at the BMW International Open, despite a rival Gwent agent threatening to derail his plans.
Dredge, so close to winning this event last year before faltering in the closing couple of holes, is joint fourth in Munich after an immaculate second round of 66 left him eight under par.
That put him two behind the leaders, the rejuvenated Swede Henrik Stenson and South African George Coetzee.
However, despite the first round withdrawal of Newport’s Phillip Price, Dredge is under pressure from another Welshman, Chepstow ace Liam Bond.
Bond, the St Pierre professional and former Challenge Tour member who finally won his tour card in 2010, took a giant stride towards the retention of his status by moving into the top ten at seven under par.
Bond had two bogeys and six birdies on his way to a 68 but all Welsh eyes were on Dredge as he looks to win his first European Tour event in five years, particularly with the disappointment of 12 months ago still fresh in the mind.
"I was pretty disappointed in 2010. I felt as if I wasn’t hitting the ball great, especially on the last day, but I managed my game really well until I fatted a shot on 16," he explained.
"But it was one of those things, you have to try and take the positives out of everything and I still had a chance to win. Now I am in a position to right some wrongs.
"Thursday was a tough day and I was pleased to be two under and I knew yesterday I had to go out there and shoot a good one, I’m very pleased to get myself back into the tournament."
However, Dredge is tipping a big number being needed to claim that elusive title.
"To win it I think you’ve always got to be looking at between 18 and 20 under par, that’s a figure you’ve got to look at whenever you tee up here," he said.
"Results haven’t been great for me this year but my game has been there. I’ve been working on it on the weeks off and it’s nice to come here and to a course that I generally play well on."
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