Professional golfer Simon Dyson is facing a huge change in lifestyle - and he just can't wait.

The Malton and Norton member has booked himself a place on the Asian Tour after impressing in a gruelling three week qualification process in Malaysia.

The 21-year-old had to win through three rounds of qualifying competition and has not only won himself a place on the prestigious tour but also ensured that he will be in action in the Malaysian Open which starts on Thursday, February 10.

"I am very pleased, it has been a hard time in qualifying but it has been worthwhile," said a justifiably proud Dyson.

Given that it was only last September that Dyson, a county and international player as an amateur, was playing for the victorious British team in the Walker Cup in Nairn his progress in a very short time as a professional has been quite outstanding.

However, everything that has come his way in Asia has been hard earned.

"I think the first stage of qualifying had to be the hardest," said Dyson.

"There were over 100 players trying to get one of 15 places so that was pretty hard going, but fortunately I played very well in my first two rounds and kept things together well enough in the third to finish eighth," explained Dyson.

"The next stage was not so bad. There were stronger players involved but their were 60 places to play for and I got through fairly comfortably in tenth."

And his ever growing confidence on the back of some good form just exploded in the final qualifier with his 13 under par score over three rounds earning him second place, his Asian tour card and instant entry to the Malaysian Open - which was open to the top three finishers.

He shot 67, 68, 68 for the three rounds, being beaten by two shots for top spot by a Japanese entrant, and that after a let down on a first day that was abandoned.

"I had reached the ninth on the first day when it was called off and as I was five under. I wasn't too happy at losing what was a great start," said Dyson.

"But when we went out and got the first round played I still ended with five under par and I then shot two four unders in the next two rounds, so I was pretty pleased not just with the level of my golf but the consistency as well."

Having set his standard, Dyson knows that he now must keep it as he faces a tough baptism in the Malaysian Open which should see a number of household names on show, including European Tour players like Lee Westwood.

"I am really looking forward to it and rubbing shoulders with some of the best players about," enthused Dyson.

"To be realistic all I can do is play my best and hope that is good enough for me to make the cut, which would be great."

It promises to be a tight learning curve for Dyson, who is also having to work out just where he will base himself as he looks forward to spending a greater part of the year out in the east.

He follows the Malaysian Open with the opening Asian Tour event in the Philippines and he will not be back in Europe for at least a month.

"With the events that I will be playing there is not much point in coming home," said Dyson.

"Firstly I want to relax a bit and me and my caddie will be having a bit of a holiday in Thailand first before we get down to preparing for the Malaysian Open.

"Then after that we have got the Philippines, but I am hoping to get home after that, and there might just be the chance of a few starts in some of the European Tour events."

But Dyson is not in any real hurry to get home with the success he is enjoying in a climate he is getting to like.

"At first it took a little while to get used to the heat and playing in it," said Dyson. "It gets up to 100 degrees most days but to be honest it is absolutely brilliant playing golf in these conditions every day rather than the wind and rain."

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