Dredge wins after last round 65

Welshman Bradley Dredge took a giant step towards regaining his European Tour card with victory in the Is Molas Challenge in Sardinia.

A closing 65 for an 18-under-par 270 gave the 25-year-old from Blackwood, near Newport, a two-shot winning margin over Markus Brier of Austria, who carded a 66. He was four ahead of a trio of players including Manchester's Grant Hamerton and David Higgins of Ireland.

Dredge, who graduated from the Challenge Tour at the end of 1997, lost his European Tour card at the end of last year but feels he will be better equipped should he get it back in 2000.

He quickly mopped up the two-shot deficit on overnight leader Gary Murphy of Ireland. While Murphy struggled to make progress, Dredge was out in 33 with two birdies. Three more followed in four holes immediately after the turn but it was an eagle three at the 560-yard 15th that sealed it and he could afford to bogey the last and still celebrate.

"I'm thrilled but I knew this course suited me," said Dredge.

"I did well on my only previous visit here. The par fives are reachable and I took advantage of that. My short game was also good and I'd been playing well coming into the tournament."