Dredge back in front at Slaley Hall

Bradley Dredge charged into the lead in the Great North Open at Slaley Hall.

The 28-year-old fired four birdies in the first eight holes of his second round, but a his par four on the 463-yard 18th - his ninth hole - was even more important.

The Welshman, who doubled bogeyed the same hole in the first round, drove into the right-hand rough, but after laying up 100 yards short of the green he pitched to four feet and holed the putt.

Out in 32, Dredge then bogeyed the first, but got it back at the long fourth was one ahead of Andrew Oldcorn and German Sven Struver.

Oldcorn also had four birdies in the first eight holes and after bogeying the 18th pulled it back with another birdie at the fourth.

Struver covered the back nine in 31 and was on track for the round of the day.

Gary Murphy is best of the Irish - he is tied sixth at four under after 11.