YORK golfer Simon Dyson made a defiant defence of his Irish Open title as a final round of 67 lifted him into a share of tenth spot at Portrush.

The 34-year-old’s closing five under par round left him on 11 under for the tournament, seven shots behind winner Jamie Donaldson.

The Malton & Norton Golf Club star was three under at the turn after birdies at the second and fifth plus an eagle three at the ninth, against one dropped shot at the third.

Back-to-back birdies on the 11 and 12th earned him a six-way share of tenth and a prize pot of 33,900 euros.