BRADLEY Dredge has fallen short in his bid to return to the European Tour, writes Michael Pearlman.

The 40-year old Blackwood golfer, a two-time Tour winner and a former World Cup holder for Wales with Stephen Dodd, had been bidding to make an immediate return to the European circuit.

Dredge has represented Wales on the Tour for 14 of the past 15 seasons, but lost his playing privileges in 2013.

That meant competing at PGA Catalunya Resort this week in Final Qualifying School, a gruelling six-day tournament that also ended the European Tour hopes of Welsh golfers Phillip Price, Rhys Davies and Liam Bond.

None of that trio were able to make the cut on day four but Dredge did, chasing a top 25 finish and redemption following an injury-hit 2013.

However, Dredge, who has barely played four successive rounds in the past 24 months, let alone six, faltered on days five and six as his challenge fell away.

A final round of 73 meant Dredge finished four shots adrift of the magic mark of nine under, with 27 players in total awarded cards for 2014.

There was some relief, however, for Welsh golf with Stuart Manley managing to come through in 12th position.

Manley’s return to the Tour means that Jamie Donaldson won’t be the sole Welshman.

However, for Dredge, it’s a case of back to the drawing board following a frustrating season.

The former Madeira Island Open winner was restricted to only five tournaments all season and injury forced him to miss the Celtic Manor Wales Open.