JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Still seeking his first victory on the European Tour, Stephen Dodd birdied three of his final four holes Thursday and to tie fellow Welshman Bradley Dredge atop the leaderboard after the first round at the Dunhill Championship.
Dodd carded a 7-under-par 65 Thursday and closed in impressive fashion. The 36-year-old Dodd is coming off a tie for eighth at last week's South African Open and was fourth earlier this year at the Hong Kong Open.
Dodd had just one birdie over the first seven holes but birdied six of the final 11 holes, including the par-5 closing hole. A former British Amateur champion at Royal Birkdale, Dodd turned professional in 1990.
"It's nice to have two top-10s under my belt this season," he said. "I am starting to score well now and I would like to win a tournament. That's what we are all out here for. We all believe we can win and I feel I can do it."
The 29-year-old Dredge, who twice finished second on tour last year but also remains in search of his first victory, was tied for 19th last week. This week did not start out much better as Dredge bogeyed the first hole before reeling off three straight birdies.
"I'm learning all the time and it's just a case of getting into the right position, being patient and waiting for the putts to drop," Dredge said.
Callie Stewart and Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa and Sean Farrell of Zimbabwe are tied for third, one stroke back. Oosthuizen is a 20-year-old phenom, who carded a 57 late last year.
Six golfers carded a 67, including American Scott Dunlop. Defending champion Justin Rose shot a 73.
