SIMON Dyson's third crack at The Open has pitched him into one of the most exciting threesomes at Royal Troon.

The Malton and Norton ace, who posted a course record 65 on the first day of heading the qualifying at the tough Glasgow Gailes course, has been partnered with Ian Poulter, another of England's young guns, and Korea's rising star SK Ho.

The trio start their Open assault at 11.41am on Thursday's first day and will then have the distinction of being the first three out on Friday when the tournament swings into action at 6.30am.

In a further boost for the North Yorkshire star, whose form this season has yielded two runners-up berths and a fourth place slot, he will be accompanied by his elder brother Nick, who will caddie for him at Royal Troon.

"I can't wait for it to start. It's a great feeling and a great buzz about the place," Dyson told the Evening Press ahead of his first practice session today at the Argyllshire-based course.

Of his playing partners Dyson added: "It's a great draw - I'm happy with that.

"I know Ian from playing on the circuit. He's a good bloke and his caddie, Mick Donaghy, used to caddie for me.

"I've not played with Ian before, but I've come across him a few times. He is one of the 'faces' on the tour, who has made a big impact over the last year or two."

The 26-year-old Dyson even relished the prospect of the being among the first trio out on Friday. "I don't mind that at all. We could get the best of the weather then, at least I'm hoping we will."

Elsewhere in The Open draw, Worksop's Lee Westwood, the former European number one, has been paired alongside Tiger Woods, the world's best player and tournament favourite, and Australia's Great White Shark, Greg Norman.

Westwood, however, has pledged to be low-key despite being partnered by two of the sport's most high-profile performers. Said the man who is one of only a handful of players to have won a tournament which Woods was leading with a round to play -the 2000 Deutsche Bank-SAP Open in Germany, where he came from two behind to beat him by four: "I'm going to be reclusive."

Meanwhile, as North Yorkshire's Dyson prepares for the ultimate challenge, his Malton and Norton club-mate Emma Duggleby will today be sitting out the English Ladies strokeplay championship which opened today at Woodhall Spa.

Duggleby, the winner of the English crown six years ago, is on duty at the club's shop as professional Steve Robinson is heading the Yorkshire boys' team whom he coaches at the Northern Boys' team championships in Cheshire.

Said Duggleby: "It's a shame, but that's the way it goes. Steve's was a long-standing commitment as the county coach so I'm covering for him in the shop."

Despite Duggleby's enforced absence, North Yorkshire will be strongly represented at Woodhall Spa. The Ganton trio of Rachel Bell, Naomi Edwards and 2002 champion Sara Garbutt are in the field, which also includes Katie Dobson of The Oaks.

Updated: 10:54 Tuesday, July 13, 2004