A STUNNING second-placed finish in the UBS Hong Kong Open propelled York golfer Simon Dyson 15 places up the world rankings to number 63.

The 32-year-old missed out on the title by a single shot at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling, with Ian Poulter prevailing on 22-under par.

Dyson, pictured, finished with a third consecutive five-under par 65 to finish in a tie with Italian teenager Matteo Manassero, with both men earning 157,000 euros.

A third of the way through the final day, Dyson looked favourite to repeat his Hong Kong victory of a decade ago when he forged into a two-shot lead.

“Fair play to Poulter, he deserved it,” said the Malton and Norton Golf Club ace. “He played brilliantly the last two days.

“I could have taken him a bit close if my putter had been hot on the back nine, but it wasn’t, so never mind.”

Dyson reeled off an eagle three on the par-five third before adding three birdies over his next four holes.

But he failed to build on that as he bogeyed the eighth and added only one more birdie coming home.

Dyson, who now heads for the season-ending Dubai World Championship, added: “I’m disappointed. I played lovely. I just didn’t hole a thing on the back nine.

“Still, it has been a great week. It’s good to take this form into the last tournament of the year.”

Dyson’s consistent display in Hong Kong moved him up to 32nd in the Race To Dubai standings, with tournament earnings of 830,122 euros from 27 events.