GOLF/Great North Open: History repeated itself for Welsh golfer Bradley Dredge yesterday as he blew the lead in the Great North Open at Slaley Hall with a closing double bogey. But this time it cost him only £5 compared to nearly £100,000.

Twelve months ago Dredge shared top spot with Andrew Coltart standing on the final tee of the tournament, but his drive hit a spectator and was diverted into heavy rough. The six not only cost him his first European Tour victory, but dropped him to joint fourth place.

On his return to the hole in the first round yesterday evening the 28-year-old from Tredegar was six under par and joint top with Spaniard Diego Borrego. He decided to have a £5 bet with his caddie that he would make par - but 10 minutes later was paying out.

"I hate that hole," said Dredge after putting his second in a bunker 50 yards short of the green, going from there into rough and taking three more.

"I did think about last year on the tee, but I hit a good drive this time and it's really annoying because I was playing so well."

Borrego, winner of the Madeira Island Open in March, finished the day two ahead of not only Dredge, but also Surrey's Andrew Raitt and Belgian Nicolas Vanhootegem.

The Malaga golfer began on the back nine with three successive birdies, turned in 31 and then sank a 25-foot putt on the 349-yard fifth for his 66.

Defending champion Coltart also double-bogeyed the last hole - in his case the 453-yard ninth - for a 73, while Paul Casey, joint runner-up last year, reached four under before double-bogeying the seventh.

Ireland's Graeme McDowell could manage only a 77 on his professional debut. He needs to make around £100,000 in just seven tournaments to avoid the tour qualifying school.

Best of the Irish contingent was Des Smyth, who carded a 69 to lie just three shots off the pace. Gary Murphy returned a level par 72 while Eamonn Darcy and PhilipWalton were on 73 and 74, respectively. David Higgins had a 79.