SIMPLY ace – that was York-born Simon Dyson as he dazzled on the first day of the UBS Hong Kong Open.

Dyson finished the opening round tied for fourth place and just two shots shy of the lead, buoyed by bagging the tournament’s first hole in one, which earned him $10,000 worth of stocks and shares from tournament sponsors UBS.

Said a delighted Dyson: “That’s a good prize, though I might cash them in as soon as possible. I’m not a stocks and shares man, though I could leave them – you never know.”

What the world number 78 was certain about was his return to top-notch form in the final European Tour event ahead of next week’s Dubai World Championships.

His hole in one at the par-three 12th, at 144 yards the shortest hole on the Hong Kong Golf Course at Fanling, was obviously the highlight of the round.

“It was a beautiful wedge shot which pitched a foot from the hole and in she went. I saw it all the way,” said the Malton & Norton GC star.

Starting his round on the tenth hole alongside two-time Major winner John Daly, Dyson had already birdied the 11th before his one-shot wonder. He picked up another birdie on the 14th before being hit by his lone bogey of the round at the 15th.

On the inward nine the 32-year-old was flawless with three more birdies on holes two – where his tee-shot hit the pin only to miss dropping into the cup for what would have been a remarkable second ace – three and eight to card a healthy six-under-par 64 and be tied with Denmark’s Soren Hansen.

Said Dyson: “I couldn’t have asked for a better start.

“The course is excellent and the weather even better.”

The first day lead was held by New Zealander Mark Brown, who posted eight birdies in his eight-under-par 62.

He was one shot clear of Northern Ireland’s Ryder Cup star Rory McIlroy and Jeev Milkha Singh of India.