Dredge shares Volvo China Open lead

Welsh World Cup player Bradley Dredge shared the lead following the first round of the Volvo China Open today – after not knowing he would even be allowed into the country until Tuesday night.

Dredge flew to Hong Kong without a Chinese visa and spent nine hours at the airport there while the matter was resolved and he was able to travel on to Shanghai.

While others struggled with jetlag Dredge chipped in for an eagle at the long 14th and had five birdies in a five-under-par 67 at Shanghai Silport to share top spot with Australian Unho Park.

This is the first event of the new European tour season.

Dredge slipped back to 60th on the Order of Merit he still qualified to partner Phillip Price in last week’s World Cup in Seville.

Favourite Thomas Bjorn, the only player in the world’s top 100 taking part, had to settle for a one-under.