Dredge looks to master Madeira

Missing out on this week’s World Golf Championships in Miami might prove to be a blessing in disguise for Welshman Bradley Dredge if he earns another trip to The Masters.

The 34-year-old is at the Madeira Islands Open instead and as the only player in the world’s top 125 taking part is favourite for the €117,000 first prize.

That money is, of course, only a fraction of what is on offer in Florida, but in world-ranking terms, winning in Madeira is worth more than fourth place at Doral and would almost certainly take Dredge from his current 72nd back into the top 50 a week before the cut-off for Augusta.

A year ago the former World Cup winner made his Masters debut and with a round to go was in seventh place, only three shots off the lead.

Then came a closing 83, but he said: “It was just one of those days, but I loved the week.

“It’s the best course I’ve ever played and it’s a big incentive to try to get back into the world’s top 50.

“I didn’t play great the first three days, so was quite surprised to be in the position I was.

“I thought I could shoot the 68 that would have won it and wasn’t nervous - but maybe I should have been. It just didn’t go for me.”

It certainly did on one previous trip to Madeira.

Five years ago Dredge went around the same Santo da Serra course in just 60 shots – not a European Tour record because placing was allowed – and the following day won by eight.

His World Cup-winning partner Stephen Dodd is also in this week’s field, but now finds himself 381st in the world and has not had a top-10 finish since his 2006 victory in the European Open.

Former Open champion Paul Lawrie, 239th in the rankings, is another trying to get back to winning ways.