NORTH Yorkshire golf star Simon Dyson was today anxiously awaiting news of an 'X'-ray after injury forced his dramatic withdrawal from the Murphy's Irish Open, writes Tony Kelly.

There are fears that he may well have chipped a bone in his right wrist or damaged a tendon, an injury he might have conceivably been carrying undetected for several days, his father John Dyson told the Evening Press today.

Dyson junior shot a damaging nine-over-par 80 in the first round at the Fota Island course yesterday, but that did not reflect the entire story as the 24-year-old was increasingly afflicted by injury.

After the first six holes Dyson said he felt a twinge in his right wrist, an injury that had plagued him just several days before in practice. As he teed off on the eighth hole such was the pain he had to immediately release his club.

That happened twice more as the injury worsened as Malton and Norton Golf Club ace Dyson steadfastly played through the pain barrier to try to get round the course.

After consulting the tournament's doctor and physiotherapist Dyson was forced to withdraw from the Irish Open and arrange his hospital appointment.

While Dyson was in pain he perhaps did not hurt as much as Spanish legend Seve Ballesteros.

He took 12 shots on the final hole, finding the water hazard four times as he posted a crestfallen 89, 18-over par. But his anguish was deepened. After mistakenly marking down a ten for the 18th he realised his error and contacted tournament officials who then had no option but to disqualify him.

Five players took route 66 to lead the field on five-under after the first day - Nick Dougherty (England), Fred Funk (USA), Joakim Haeggman (Sweden), Peter O'Malley (Australia) and Eduardo Romero (Argentina).

Updated: 12:12 Friday, June 28, 2002