A TAXING finale rebounded on York’s Simon Dyson after the second day of the Volvo China Open was plundered by a Levy.

Dyson followed up his superb five-under-par 67 on the first day with a 71 yesterday as he found the Genzon club more difficult to conquer.

His outward nine was a run of pars, marred by a five on the par-four seventh.

The world number 187 re-discovered his putting groove on the back nine.

He inched back up the leaderboard with birdies on the 11th, 13th and 17th holes, which put him in joint fifth spot.

But in total contrast to the first day when he birdied the difficult last hole, yesterday he suffered a bogey five and finished on 71 to be tied for seventh place Dyson, who is bidding for a seventh European Tour title, and who actually won this event in his rookie year as a professional some 14 years ago before it was co-sanctioned on the Euro circuit, is the leading Englishman alongside compatriot Tommy Fleetwood.

The duo were the fourth last pairing to go out in today’s third round.

The second round though belonged almost exclusively to Alexander Levy of France, who was making his tournament debut in China.

He rushed to the head of the leader-board and a four-shot advantage over his nearest rival at the half-way stage by supplementing an opening four-under 68 with a quite mesmeric ten-under-par 62.

His card was graced by no fewer than eight birdies, plus an eagle on the par-five ninth.

Said the 23-year-old Levy for whom the round represented the lowest score of his career: “I played unbelievably.

“It’s the first time I have played like that. I really like the course and it is in great shape.

“This is my first time in China and I feel great to be playing so well in a really big event for me.”