Dredge cruises to victory in Madeira to claim first European Tour title

WALES’ Bradley Dredge cruised to a commanding victory in the Madeira Island Open to claim his first European Tour title.

Dredge carded a final-round 71 for a 16-under total of 272 and eight-shot win over Swede Fredrik Andersson, English duo Brian Davis and Andrew Marshall, to take the £67,790 first prize at Santo da Serra.

Sam Little took fifth place a shot further back with Holland's Robert-Jan another stroke adrift in sixth on his first appearance since his shock victory in the Dubai Desert Classic. The foundations for Dredge's overdue maiden win were firmly laid by his brilliant third-round 60, when he came within inches of recording the first ever 59 on the European Tour. He started the final day with an eight-shot lead and although he bogeyed the first, a birdie at the third settled any nerves and victory was never in doubt.