Ireland's three-time major champion Padraig Harrington carded 73 to finish nine over, while Wales' Rhys Davies shot 76 for 19 over.

BBC: US Open: Graeme McDowell triumphs at Pebble Beach

Since then another Welshman, Rhys Davies, has impressed and Tredegar-born Dredge has slipped down the rankings to become an outside shot at a place in the European team.

BBC: Dredge plays down Ryder Cup hopes

Wales' Rhys Davies, who won his maiden European Tour event in Morocco in March and had consecutive runner-up finishes at the Madrid Masters and Celtic Manor Wales Open, improved on his opening 78 with a one-under 70 to go into the weekend at six over.

BBC: US Open: Lee Westwood remains upbeat at Pebble Beach

Speaking at the European premiere of the second Lord of the Rings instalment The Two Towers, Rhys-Davies said the incident was "not his most glorious moment".

BBC: On the global Taff Trail

The old gang Legolas (Orlando Bloom), Gimli (John Rhys-Davies), and Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) is on hand to save the day and, by implication, the future of a civilization.

NEWYORKER: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

On a more painful note, John Rhys-Davies has been speaking about how he suffered a broken arm when a 12-foot wall fell on him during filming in Croatia.

BBC: On the global Taff Trail

Tries from Colin Charvis, Rhys Thomas and Rhodri Gomer-Davies gave Dragons a 25-13 lead at half-time, Nicolas De Gregori replying for Treviso.

BBC: Benetton Treviso 33-35 Dragons

Jon Davies set up a fine try for Rhys Priestland, but Shaun Connor's boot edged Dragons to a 9-8 half-time lead.

BBC: Dragons 9-14 Scarlets

"It was good to see Rhys come of age and take the ball-kicking duties on, he did extremely well, " said Davies.

BBC: Connacht v Scarlets (Fri)