BLACKWOOD’S Bradley Dredge is in contention for a second European Tour triumph at Crans-sur-Sierre after a super opening round of 66 put him four under par at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.

Dredge, won the event in 2006 and is just one back from Danny Willett who continued where he left off at the Open Championship with a superb start at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.

The 27-year-old from South Yorkshire, who finished in a tie for sixth at St Andrews on Monday, opened with a five-under-par 65 as regular European Tour action resumed at the spectacular Alpine venue.

Dredge was one of five players on four under as the morning starters - delayed by fog early on - reached the end of their first rounds. Defending champion David Lipsky, the American, was also in that group while Knaresborough's John Parry signed for a three-under 67 along with Wales' Jamie Donaldson and American Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed.

Lee Westwood, whose 42 career wins include Crans success in 1999, recovered from a poor start to reach two under with three birdies in his closing five holes while Gary Stal moved in the opposite direction. The Frenchman was five under after six holes but then fell back to two under.

Dredge was happy with his effort, especially after a spectacular finish that saw him birdie three of his last four holes.

“It was a gloomy start to my first round in Crans as fog moved in over the course and play was suspended as I stood on the third tee having opened with two pars,” he wrote on his website.

“However, after a two hours break I played some really good golf shooting a four under par 66 which made me the early leader in the clubhouse.

“After the restart I did actually make an early bogey. At the par four sixth which only calls for a four iron off the tee I pulled my shot into rough and found my route to the green blocked by trees.

“I tried to hit a low runner under them but only managed to find a bunker and 40 yards from the flag I failed to get up and down.

“But after that as the sun began to shine and with only a slight breeze I played some excellent golf starting the run at the driveable par four seventh where I hit a three wood into 18 feet.

“Sadly I left my eagle putt just short online with the middle of the hole but at least the consolation was a birdie.

“And after picking up another shot at the 12th I had a really strong finish with three birdies in the last four holes.

“At the par five 15th although my second shot with a five iron found a bunker by the green and left me short sided I still manage to splash out to ten feet and hole the putt.

“Then I hit good wedges into the last two greens holing from five feet and 15 feet for two more birdies.

“Although I have won up here in the past I haven't played too well in Crans for the past few years so hopefully the round has broken that trend.”