BLACKWOOD’S Bradley Dredge started his US Open campaign at Erin Hills, Wisconsin with a two-over-par 74, nine shots behind early leader Rickie Fowler.

The 43-year-old Welshman, playing in the tournament for the first time, is tied for 82nd going into today’s second round.

Dredge began the opening 18 holes on the 10th tee alongside South Korea’s Jeunghun Wang and South African Thomas Aiken.

Two pars were followed by dropped shots at the 12th and 15th, but Dredge hit back with birdies on the 16th and 18th greens to get back to level par.

However, successive bogeys at holes three and four followed, before Dredge made par on the last five holes.