Dredge boosts Masters chances

Welshman Bradley Dredge boosted his chances of claiming a place in The Masters with a two-birdie start to his second round in the Andalucian Open at Aloha today.

Needing to win to climb into the world’s top 50, Dredge holed from 15 feet on the long 10th and then pitched to within four feet of the flag at the 386-yard next.

He was up to four-under-par, joint fifth and three strokes behind leader Lee Westwood, who was among the day later starters.

So were English amateur champion Danny Willett and Norway’s Jan-Are Larsen, sharing second place overnight following opening 66s, and Australian Matthew Millar, who began with a 67.

Eighteen-year-old Rory McIlroy resumed with four pars in a row to remain four under, while Jose Maria Olazabal, playing his first event for seven months because of rheumatism, was still exceeding his expectations at one under par.

That was four better than playing partner and tournament promoter Miguel Angel Jimenez, who was in danger of missing the halfway cut after a bogey six at the 561-yard 10th.