Bradley Dredge knew how to master the windy conditions of this first day on the course from the Albatros to the National Golf. He heads alone ahead of 2 Ryder Cup players, Graham McDowell and Andy Sullivan in this 3rd stage of the 2018 Rolex Series.

Photo: © WSG via flickr

Dredge returned his second best card of the season, after his 2 last week at the BMW International Open in Germany. He made a solid 66, 67 shots under par.

The Welshman started his day with a bogey at hole 10, quickly erased by 3 birdies at holes 13, 14 and 17, which put him 1 shot from the leaders.

By signing 7 birdies for a total of 68, the double winner of the French Open, McDowell has once again demonstrated his affinity with this course of the Albatros which will host the 2018 Ryder Cup in 3 months.

The Northern Irishman, who shares 2nd place alongside the Englishman Andy Sullivan, will be one of Thomas Bjorn's 5 vice-captains next September, as will the Swede Robert Karlson who, in ambush, offers himself a 69 despite his double bogey from 1.

World number 2 Justin Thomas, who is discovering the HNA Open de France in anticipation of his selection for the American Ryder Cup team has, for his part, returned a card of 70. With a double bogey at 5, he join John Ram at -1, the only player to have won 2 Rolex Series. The latter signed 4 birdies, 1 bogey and double bogey at 15.

Difficult start for defending champion Tommy Fleetwood, who scored a delicate 74 (+3) this Friday. The best Frenchman of the day, Grégory Havret is in 7th place aexequo, at -1.