European Tour/Scandinavian Masters: Bradley Dredge put his putting "on the clock" in a bid to make it second-week lucky here in the Scandinavian Masters. The 32-year-old Welshman, with only one win to show for eight years on tour, fired a 63 yesterday for a 13-under-par 129 to lead by one from Barry Lane (66) and the Swede Pierre Fulke (63).

Dredge, who was two ahead with a round to go in last week's European Players' Championship in Hamburg but ended up in fifth place, this week studied a video of his final round of 73 that cost him £300,000 in lost prize money.

"I spotted I was standing too long over the ball before hitting the putts, probably because I was trying too hard," he said.

"I've worked here on quickening up my routine and it's freed me up a lot. Instead of trying to force the ball in I'm concentrating on just letting it happen. I have a last look at the hole and keep that image in my mind - I'm a visual person, and that's my trigger."

The new method worked a treat as Dredge rolled in nine birdie putts, including three for twos, to set up a chance of adding to his solitary success, in the 2003 Madeira Open.

"As a kid you practise that tricky five-footer to win, but I've still to face one," he admitted. "In Madeira I shot 60 in round three to lead by eight - all I had to do the last day was stay upright."

Victory number two may also prove to be pressure-free if the forecast thunderstorms materialise this weekend to curtail a tournament in which lifting, cleaning and placing are being permitted on a course shortened by almost 400 yards after seven inches inches of rain.

"With the possibility of no play, I told my caddy we'd shoot for every pin and go as low as we could. We targeted 12 under so finishing 13 below was a bonus. Obviously you want to win over the full four rounds, but a win is a win."

Dredge convinced himself he had what it takes when he went toe-to-toe on the last day with Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie in the Volvo Masters three years ago, finishing third, two behind.

With 10 top-25 finishes already this year, including second place in the Italian Open, he has high hopes of adding Ryder Cup honours to his 1993 Walker Cup cap.

With his fellow Welshman Ian Woosnam, twice a World Cup partner, captaining the 2006 side at the K Club, it is a juicy prospect.

"I've had no notes of encouragement from Woosie, mind you," he said. "Just getting a lift in his private jet would be nice."

Damien McGrane is well placed for the weekend on eight under par after a second round 66 that included seven birdies.

Peter Lawrie and Gary Murphy shot 70s to be on five and four under, respectively.

Fulke qualified for the 2001 Ryder Cup - later postponed for a year - with victory in the Volvo Masters and second place in the World Matchplay in Melbourne, but now concentrates more on his course design business than tournament golf.

"I have got a lot of projects going on," said the 34-year-old after matching Dredge's 63 with eight birdies. "I took eight weeks off after finishing third in Qatar to deal with them and then play golf in the summer.

"It works well. I haven't done anything properly the last couple of years, including my golf, so I've tried something different this year to see if it works.

"Now that I focus on the right thing, each week I come out it gets better and better. I think I'm playing better than ever, two 67s in Hamburg and this week so far has been good."

Lane carded seven birdies in his 66 in his 533rd European Tour event. The 45-year-old, who went 10 years without a win before claiming the British Masters title last year, would have shared the lead but for driving into the lake to the right of the 15th green to run up one of his two bogeys.

"I had a terrible lie on the 15th tee, it was on one of those tee pegs," joked the former Ryder Cup player. "I thought it might miss the water it was so far right, but I'm happy with the way I played overall."

Pre-tournament favourite Adam Scott is six shots off the pace on seven under after the 2003 winner and world number seven added a 65 to his opening 70.

Guardian Service