LOCH LOMOND, Scotland, 12 July 2003 — Britain’s Bradley Dredge vaulted up the Scottish Open leaderboard with a three-under-par 68 yesterday shortly before overnight leader Ernie Els began his second round.
The 30-year-old Dredge, who fired an opening 69, finished on five-under 137 at a blustery and showery Loch Lomond. That left the Welshman two strokes behind South African Els, who set a blistering pace in rain-disrupted conditions on Thursday with a blemish-free 64, and level with Britain’s David Howell, who carded a first-round 66.
Three-times major winner Els, who teed off at 1225 GMT, was level for the day after two holes with Howell, three groups ahead, even par after five.
“It was a little bit up and down out there today, but I managed to get enough birdies to nullify the bogeys,” said Madeira Island Open winner Dredge, who mixed six birdies with three dropped shots.
He was one of 45 players who had to complete their opening rounds in early morning drizzle yesterday and, with just one hole to play, finished in style with a birdie at the last. Australia’s Peter Lonard, another early second-round starter, matched Dredge’s 68 to complete 36 holes at four-under 138. Britain’s Iain Pyman was a further two shots back at two under after carding a 71, having spoiled a run of four consecutive birdies with three dropped shots in his last two holes. World No. 8 Phil Mickelson, while not in contention, was confident he would make the halfway cut after improving to a 68 yesterday. The left-handed American, who had battled to an opening 76, finished at two-over 144 and has set his sights on an even better performance over the weekend.
Earlier, former major winners Retief Goosen and Ian Woosnam both withdrew from the second round, citing bad backs. Goosen, the 2001 US Open champion, pulled out after running up a bogey five and a triple-bogey seven in his first three holes.
Blake Takes Lead
at Milwaukee Open
Jay Don Blake, who has missed the cut in 10 of his first 14 tournaments this season, shot a 6-under-par 64 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the $3.5 million Milwaukee Open.
Five of the last seven winners of this event have been 40 or older, a trend the 44-year-old Blake would like to continue. Kirk Triplett, who turned 41 in March, is alone in second after shooting a 65.
Kenny Perry returned to action this week and shot a 69 at the Brown Deer Park Country club. The 42-year-old Perry has not played since his sensational three-start run that included consecutive wins at the Colonial and Memorial and a tie for third at the US Open.
Sorenstam Withdraws,
Bowie Leads Canadian Open
In Vancouver, former champion Annika Sorenstam withdrew due to illness, but Heather Bowie did not miss a beat, firing a 6-under-par 66 on Thursday to build a two-stroke lead after one round of the LPGA Canadian Women’s Open.
Four days after barely missing out on a playoff at the US Women’s Open, Sorenstam played six holes in 1-over and pulled out after hitting her second shot into a bunker at the par-4 seventh hole. “I feel very bad for the fans and the tournament, but my whole body feels ill,” the female golfer said.
