TWELVE months after taking a double bogey seven to lose the Irish Open Bradley Dredge returned to the same hole today and eagled it to grab a share of the lead.
The hole is the 548-yard 18th at Adare Manor and the 34-year-old Welshman, beaten in a play-off for the title by Padraig Harrington, this time hit a stunning approach to within five feet of the flag.
Sinking the putt took Dredge to six under par a
nd alongside overnight pacesetters Richard Green and Jeev Milkha Singh, both of whom were among today's later starters.
The trio were two shots ahead of Swede Johan Edfors and France's Michael Lorenzo-Vera, but only one further back was Darren Clarke after he went to the turn in 33.
Clarke had his first European Tour victory since 2003 when he won the Asian Open in Shanghai three weeks ago and birdies on the 12th, 15th, 16th and 18th boosted his hopes of another victory – one that would leave him just outside the top 10 in the Ryder Cup race.
His cup partner Lee Westwood, leader of the points standings, resumed in 80th place after an opening 75, but he covered the back nine in 34 to climb 36 spots.
Paul McGinley, another member of the last three Europeans sides, was also going well.
Playing with Clarke he matched the Ulsterman's 33 to stand two under and joint 11th.
Both had been critical of the course set-up after their rounds yesterday, McGinley describing it as "a monster" and Clarke saying he thought it was "ridiculously difficult".
Holder Harrington, who also began with a 72, was not due to tee off again until this afternoon and nor was Colin Montgomerie, who faced a battle to make the cut after his 75.
The Adare Manor course measuring 7453 yards, only 190 yards shorter than Torrey Pines will be when it becomes the longest course in major history at next month's US Open.
And, after Clarke and McGinley finished with 72 and 73 respectively on the first day, they let their feelings be known.
"The course was ridiculously difficult," said Clarke. "It was disappointing. It's a fantastic design and then you have new tees and all of a sudden we are hitting three-irons to flags that are completely inaccessible.
"People come in to watch us make birdies and, unfortunately, that's just not happening. The greens are rock hard. They are designed to be hit by much shorter clubs than we were having to hit."
McGinley added: "It's a hell of a tough golf course now. I think they have overdone the new tee boxes – it's become a monster."
The full article contains 453 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
