ONLY an exclusive club of players have successfully defended the Irish Open – and it’s a list Simon Dyson is desperate to join.

The York-born golfer travels to Royal Portrush Golf Club, in Northern Ireland, looking to become the first player for 15 years to keep hold of the crown and follow in the footsteps of Colin Montgomerie, who won in 1996 and 1997.

Dyson said he played the best golf of his career in the final round at Killarney 12 months ago when a second 67 gave him the title. His iron play was described by TV commentators as being some of the best they had ever seen.

Now the Malton & Norton GC star wants to recreate those memories and, on the back of a solid performance in the BMW International in Germany last week where he finished joint-12th, he believes his game is getting into its stride following a stop-start 2012 to date.

“My main memories from last year were coming down the stretch on the final day, starting with my nine-iron tee shot into the par-three tenth,” he said.

“That got everything rolling, really. My four iron into the 11th to 12 feet was probably one of the best shots I hit all season, and the whole back nine was probably the best golf I played all year.

“I hit lots of fairways and greens, gave myself loads of chances and never got into any real trouble. To play that well and not win the tournament would’ve been heart-breaking, so the sense of relief when I got over the line was overwhelming.”

He added: “The Irish Open is a tournament you want your name associated with, so I felt very lucky to add mine to the list of former champions. The crowds were absolutely fantastic – they were five deep on both sides of the fairway coming down the last hole, which made for a very special atmosphere.

“I’m lucky enough to have won a few times on the European Tour, but that final round was definitely one of the highlights of my career.”

At 6,843 yards, the par-72 Royal Portrush course, in County Antrim, is not long. But the links set-up and the prospects of windy weather make it a firm test, and it is a favourite course of Dyson’s Tour pal Graeme McDowell and Open champion Darren Clarke.

The Irish Open is returning to Portrush for the first time since 1947 and a sell-out crowd of 100,000 is expected over the four days.

With 34-year-old Dyson not having much experience of the course – he has only played there once as an amateur – he is looking forward to the opportunity.

“I played Portrush in the Home Internationals for England, but I can’t remember too much of the place,” he said. “However, I’ve been chatting with Graeme and Darren, and they both say it’s a fantastic course, so I’m really looking forward to defending my title there.

“I’ve never managed to defend a title before in my career, so the Irish Open wouldn’t be a bad place to start.”