The European Tour's first round of 59 appeared a distant dream for the early starters in the Wales Open at Celtic Manor today. After 90 minutes' play nobody was better than the two under par of Australian Marcus Fraser in the windy conditions.
The tournament was again being played on the par-69 Roman Road course, where England's Phillip Archer opened with a tour record-equalling 60 a year ago and eventual winner Robert Karlsson set new tour marks for 36 and 54 holes by opening 61-63-65.
Starting the defence of his title Karlsson parred the first four holes on the back nine and playing partners Retief Goosen and Bradley Dredge were also level par after a birdie and a bogey each.
Fraser, joint third with a round to go in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth before slipping back to 12th with a closing 78 on Sunday, birdied the third and fourth to set the pace.
Among those on one under were former Open champion Paul Lawrie - he birdied the short 11th - and Kenneth Ferrie.
Dredge is hoping to become the first home winner of the Wales Open at Celtic Manor, but on the eve of the tournament found himself defending his decision not to try to qualify for next month's US Open on Monday.
"I just don't want to do it and luckily I don't have to answer to anybody," said Dredge.
But the 33-year-old's stance simply staggered Michael Campbell, who two years ago came through the same qualifying to win the US Open at Pinehurst. He was 80th in the world at the time. Dredge is currently 66th.
"I don't understand it. I find it quite bizarre," said the New Zealander. "It's the sort of week that can change your life. Bradley is a wonderful player and he has had a great season so far. I'm sure he has his reasons, but I showed what is possible."
As did Lawrie at the 1999 Open. He qualified for that when he was ranked 159th.
By missing the halfway cut at Wentworth last week Dredge stayed outside the world's top 50 and therefore to play at Oakmont would have to come through the 36-hole qualifier at Walton Heath next Monday.
Darren Clarke will be there and so will a whole host of European Tour winners, but Dredge is staying away despite his fine debut at the Masters last month — he was only three off the lead with a round to play — and his performance at the recent Irish Open, where he lost a play-off to Padraig Harrington.
He has still to earn an exemption for July's Open at Carnoustie as well, but a top-two finish this weekend could get him back into the world top 50 just in time to seal a spot there.
Colin Montgomerie, who missed yesterday's pro-am because of a stomach bug, was among today's later starters.
