NORTH Yorkshire golf star Simon Dyson was in the glare of the media spotlight today after sharing the early lead in the 134th Open at St Andrews.

The York-based pro hit the first shot of the entire championships and followed it up with the first eagle of the Open to put him joint top after 13 holes.

Dyson, who has missed the cut in his previous three Open appearances, safely found the generous first fairway shared with the 18th hole, as did playing partners - former champion Mark Calcavecchia and Rory Sabbatini - to get a safe par under his belt.

Sabbatini famously played out of turn during a tournament on the US Tour recently in a protest against slow play, and this time almost did it accidentally on the second tee.

After Calcavecchia had teed off, Sabbatini went to place his ball on the tee before Dyson reminded him of the correct order. "Sorry, I'm half asleep, leave me alone!" Sabbatini joked.

Bogeys at the second and eighth looked to have thrown the Malton and Norton member off the scent, but these were tempered by a birdie at the 568-yard fifth and an eagle on the par-four ninth - the first of the championship - to leave him one under at the turn, and a birdie at the 13th put him back among the joint leaders at two under.

Co-leader with Dyson at that stage were his friend Luke Donald, who had played five holes, and Australian Robert Allenby, who had completed three holes. Championship favourite Tiger Woods was one under after four holes.

Updated: 11:04 Thursday, July 14, 2005