FIVE birdies on the opening five holes at Scotscraig fired Malton and Norton golfer Simon Dyson into the Open at St Andrews.

The 21-year-old first year professional will line up with golf's elite as the Open gets under way on the Old Course on Thursday after shooting a course record 62 at Scotscraig to qualify - and already leave some big names trailing in his wake.

After shooting a level par 71 in the first qualifying round on Sunday, Dyson seemed to have his work cut out in catching the pace-setters after Preston's Paul Eales had broken the course record with a 64.

However, Dyson dug deep into his reserves and after his dream start ensured his place in golf's showpiece event with a nine under par round that saw him qualify in second place two shots behind Moroccan Open champion Jamie Spence.

"It was not so much the first five, but when I got my sixth birdie on the ninth that I knew I had a real chance," said Dyson.

"While there were still some difficult holes to come, I also felt there were even more birdie chances and I picked up another three."

In less than 12 months Dyson has been part of the Great Britain and Ireland amateur side who took the Walker Cup beating the USA at Nairn, turned professional, earned his Asian PGA Tour card through three tough qualifying events and then won the Macau and China Open in successive weeks .

He now adds to that the honour of rubbing shoulders with the very best and his initiation into the very top level of golf began today with a practice round alongside Ryder Cup star Lee Westwood and fellow qualifiers Ian Garbutt, the Doncaster player who topped the rankings at Ladybank yesterday, and amateur Luke Donald, Dyson's Walker Cup team-mate, who won through at Leven Links.

Having Donald around was a bonus for Dyson, who added: "I think myself and Luke are out with Lee Westwood today, so that should be a good experience.

"But once you have made it through you have to believe there is a chance, and me and Luke have already decided that we can take them all on."

And after all last year's winner at Carnoustie was a qualifier - Aberdeen's Paul Lawrie - and Dyson will be hoping that he can keep his game in the kind of shape it was in at Scotscraig where a combination of accurate work off the tee was complemented by some excellent approach shots, which saw him reach the turn at six under having shot 29 and come home with further birdies at the 13th, 16th and 18th.

It left the likes of Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance trailing in his wake.

Torrance qualified for what he considers his 29th consecutive Open championship - and then set his sights on a play-off win over Tiger Woods at St Andrews.

Torrance fired a second round 66 to come through final qualifying to maintain a proud personal championship record.

"I had to withdraw last year with a back problem but I count it as in because I was exempt and I've got the badge," said the 46-year-old Scot.

"I've always wanted to play in this one because we've known for a long time that the 2000 Open has been coming to St Andrews.

"What's my target? To win this week and beat Tiger in a play-off. What more could you want than that? I love the course and I can't wait to get out there. If I play the best golf I can I'll do all right.

"I played well the last time it was here and I had a wee chance."

Torrance qualified comfortably in the end from Scotscraig behind Kent's Spence, Dyson and Eales.

There was no joy for Selby's Nick Ludwell who followed his opening round 79 with a 73 to be well off the qualifying standard at Lundin.

PICTURE: WATCH THE BIRDIE: Malton and Norton's Simon Dyson opened with five consecutive birdies as he qualified for St Andrews