WORLD-CLASS credentials are in the bag for York-born Simon Dyson as he plots another European Tour conquest.
Four times a winner in his decade as pro on the European Tour Dyson is convinced he is in such a formidable groove of form that he could soon be celebrating a high-five.
Currently Dyson is resting at his new property in Spain, where he will watch tomorrow’s US Open at The Congressional course in Bethesda, in Maryland, unfold with keen interest.
But more to the forefront of his thoughts is how his return to the Continental circuit with the BMW Championship in Munich in just under a fortnight’s time could signal an even bigger leap up the rankings than he was accorded after his last BMW appearance.
That was in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. Often rated by European players as the fifth major, the tournament proved a significant turning-point for the 33-year-old Dyson.
Over four gruelling rounds Dyson finished third – beaten only by the current world numbers one and two, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood.
The rewards for Dyson were not just a cheque for almost £250,000 to double his season’s earnings, nor a leap of 18 places up the world rankings to his current position of 70th.
The Malton & Norton Golf Club player has also been buoyed by the fact that he was neither over-awed, nor out of place, amid the last day battle with the planet’s leading two players. Had lady luck smiled more favourably on some of his putts on the final five holes, Dyson might well have beaten one or both of the current top two in the world.
“To be honest, when I look back at Wentworth, finishing third was virtually a win for me,” said Dyson, who revealed he amassed more ranking points from that finish than he did when last winning the Dutch Open in 2009.
“I was up there vying with Luke and Westy, who are deservedly the world’s top two players at the moment because of the phenomenal way they have been playing.
“To finish third against guys like that and to know I gave them a good run was a massive boost for my confidence.”
Right through the four days Dyson said he had played the best golf of his life, especially his driving where his accuracy was as good as anyone in the star-studded field.
“I’ve been hitting the ball fantastically well, especially at Wentworth but also in the tournaments before and after. It’s been exceptional and I’m confident I can get another win.”
The measure of the BMW finish is that he could yet make the 140th Open championship at Royal St Georges next month, even though he just missed out in European qualifying at Sunningdale.
“Again that was just a matter of a few missed putts here and there, so I am confident in how my game is standing up to what is needed to win again,” said Dyson, whose current earnings in the Race To Dubai put him in with a good shout of being one of the top two highest players yet to have qualified.
“Those two places get in, so to miss out someone behind me would have to have a top three finish in the US Open or a top two in the BMW in Munich. And that’s not counting what I might do in Munich either, so we’ll just have to wait and see how it pans out.”
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