General / Editor / 12 April 2007 / Leave a Comment

Stephen Dodd is hoping to follow up his 2005 success and return to form at this week's China Open in Shanghai.

The Welshman triumphed three years ago at the event - which is co-run by the European and Asian Tours - and a few weeks later he picked up a the biggest paycheck of his career by finishing tied second in the higher profile Dubai Desert Classic.

In May 2005 he won the Nissan Irish Open and in 2006 he won the Smurfit European Open but has since struggled to hit the heights.
Dodd is hoping a good run in China this week will see him climb the rankings again.

"It's always nice to come back to venues where you've had success - that win was a good springboard for success," said Dodd.
"It was nice to follow the China Open with the Irish Open shortly afterwards just to show it wasn't a one-off. Doing it again means you know it wasn't a fluke.

"I'm looking for a decent week so fingers crossed I will play in a way I'm happy with.

"The form has not been where I want it the last six or eight months but form comes and goes.

"But I'm looking at the next few weeks to hopefully get some form ready for the middle of the season back in Europe."
Dodd carded a first-round 74 to end day one in Shanghai three-over, with China's Ming-jie Huang and Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin tied in joint top spot after opening round 68's to finish three-under.

Dodd is trading at 55 to return to the big time in style and triumph in China, with Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, who carded an opening round 70 to finish one-under and tied in fourth, the 8.4 favourite.

Jacquelin and Huang are trading at 9.4 and 70 respectively, while last year's runner-up, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano of Spain, tied in 15th on par after a 71, is available at 38.