NORTH Yorkshire's Simon Dyson was hoping a late start would get him among the front-runners in the Mallorca Classic which started at the Pula Golf Club today.

Dyson was among one of the last threesomes out on the course alongside Scotsman Steven O'Hara and South Africa's Martin Maritz.

And the Malton and Norton GC player's avowed aim was to ensure he held on to his coveted top 60 placing in the European Order of Merit, which would guarantee him a slot in next week's Tour finale - the Volvo Masters at the Valderrama course, also in Spain.

Currently Dyson is 55th in the Euro Merit ratings, a drop of two places following last week's missing out on the half-way cut in the Madrid Open.

Updated: 10:26 Thursday, October 20, 2005