BATTLING Simon Dyson made a promising start to his first Open championship by going round the Old Course at St Andrews in par 72.

That has given him a good chance of making the cut after the compeletion of the second round tomorrow.

Two great drives over the opening three holes set up the 21-year-old, from the Malton and Norton club for birdies at the second and third following a solid par at the first.

His birdie putt from eight feet at the 413 yard par four second hole, took him into the lead over his playing partners Sweden's Michael Jonzon, and Gordon Brand junior.

However, by the fifth his was level with Brad on one under after dropping a shot - Jonzon remained on level par.

Favourite Tiger Woods held the clubhouse lead this afternoon with five under.

Dyson's rise to the professional ranks, following an amateur career which ended gloriously as a member of the victorious Walker Cup side at Nairn, has been unusual.

While most budding tournament players usually take the arduous six round qualifying route to the European tour, Dyson, not being successful, decided to go east and seek his fortune on the Asian tour, finishing second at their qualifying school.

A decision which paid off handsomely with wins in the Macau Open and the Volvo China Open.

On the Old Course, dried out by welcome sunshine and the effects of the cutting east wind, the glass-like fairways were running so fast the concerns are not how far to drive, but will the ball stop before the ever-welcoming bunkers.

Dyson, currently quoted at 150-1 to win the famous Claret Jug, was confident enough before taking the course and said: "I am ready to get at it and give it a go. I like the course, it's good and I just love the atmosphere at St Andrew's."