MIND games and par-slicing blades are the double combination with which Simon Dyson aims to advance to the sharp end of The Open championship.

In three previous attempts North Yorkshire's king of clubs - Yorkshire's only representative in tomorrow's Open at St Andrews - has never got beyond the half-way cut.

But the 27-year-old Malton-born player has two new weapons in an impressive armoury that has elevated him to 208th in the world this year to strengthen his push for a full four days of Open play.

Dyson already has one niche in history for this year's championship, he will hit the first ball in the 2005 competition when it starts at 6.30am tomorrow, but he wants yet more distinction.

Not content with his yet unachieved aim of making the cut, Dyson is resolved that he will finish in the top 30 of a field that is studded with stellar performers from current world number one Tiger Woods to majors record-holder Jack Nicklaus, whose appearance at St Andrews will be his last.

Dyson's determination has been reinforced this past month by the application of mental mettle and a set of new clubs, whose shape he has not used since he was a teenager at Malton and Norton Golf Club. If the portents from last week's Scottish Open continue - he finished 18th to bag a cheque for more than £29,000 - then he should flourish in The Open.

For at the Loch Lomond event in which he posted four sub-par rounds Dyson employed a set of coaching drills given him by golfing guru Pete Cowen, while also benefiting from the 'neuro-linguistic programme' of mentalist performer Jamil Qureshi, a contemporary of celebrated illusionist and magician Derren Brown.

Said Dyson: "Before the tournament at the K Club in Ireland I worked with my coach Pete and he has given me a drill which has really helped in the approaches to all my shots. Sometimes I have found myself losing a bit of balance, but now it's far better.

"I have also started some work with Jamil, who has helped other players like Nick Dougherty. It's all about positive thought and focusing on that. Sometimes I get a bit uptight with myself, but I am now more relaxed thanks to the routine he has given me."

The York-based players' optimism ahead of his history-making appearance at the spiritual home of golf tomorrow has been further boosted by taking delivery of a new set of blades from his club-makers Titleist.

"It's a long while since I've used blades, but I found them so sweet in the Scottish Open that they are definitely in the bag for The Open."

Dyson added that he had so enjoyed his debut in the US Open last month that he had been given a new zest for the game, leaving him itching to get started as the first golfer away tomorrow when he will again have elder brother Nick as his caddy.

"I just want to get out there playing," he enthused. "I know a lot of golfers don't like playing St Andrews, but St Andrews is one of my favourite courses. I love playing here, so it's all systems go for the Dyson family."

Updated: 09:52 Wednesday, July 13, 2005