Simon Dyson made the earliest of exits from Royal Troon yesterday (July 16) and declared "I am absolutely gutted".

The North Yorkshire ace was up with the birds yesterday for a 6.30am tee-off, being first out on the course alongside the flamboyant Ian Poulter and Korean KC Ho, but he was heading back to York by the afternoon, bemoaning his form after a sorry exit.

As reported in yesterday's Evening Press, he dropped five shots to follow his four over par on Thursday, with his two round nine-over-par total of 151 guaranteeing he was not going to make the Open Championship cut.

"I am absolutely gutted, especially after playing so well last weekend at final qualifying to get here," said the Malton and Norton Golf Club star.

"I started solidly enough, playing the first three holes to par. Then on the par-five fourth I took a three-iron off the tee intending to lay up short of the fairway bunker on the left. When I saw the ball plunge into the sand I was devastated.

"The three-wood which I have been hitting so well would have cleared the trap and it cost me a bogey six.

"Three putts at the next par-five cost me another dropped shot, followed by two more on seven and ten."

Dyson stated that he was not happy with any part of his game and, although he played the last seven holes in regulation, there was never a chance for birdies to pull back into contention.

He intended to spend the night with friends in York to drown his sorrows and hoped that his manager, 'Chubby' Chandler, could fix him with a spot in the field at next week's Nissan Irish Open at County Louth.

At the top of the leaderboard, three players who were not in the Open three weeks ago became the centre of attention.

American Skip Kendall was the surprise leader on seven under after a superb 66, one ahead of Frenchman Thomas Levet.

But most eyes were on local favourite Colin Montgomerie, who went into today's third round just three off the lead after consecutive rounds of 69.

The players ranked second and third in the world, pre-tournament favourite Ernie Els and Vijay Singh, and US Open champion Retief Goosen and US Masters champion Phil Mickelson were all in close touch, while world number one Tiger Woods was also one under par, but Montgomerie felt they would be more concerned about him than vice versa.

"All in all I am very happy with my position," said the 41-year-old Scot. "They know and I know that I know this course better than anybody and I am in a very good position."

Updated: 09:33 Saturday, July 17, 2004