DOLDRUMS were deep and jarring for York’s Simon Dyson on his return to European Tour golf duty.

The world number 83 was today fighting to stay in the Tshwane Open in South Africa after a dismal opening round.

Dyson carded his worst round of the year – a five-over par 77 – that left him no less than 12 shots off the clubhouse lead, which, coincidentally, was posted by one of his playing partners for the first two rounds, South Africa’s Darren Fichardt.

Where the leader rattled in eight birdies with one dropped shot, Dyson’s opening round was the obverse of the coin.

Starting at the tenth hole he was immediately in arrears with a bogey on that opener. Another bogey followed on the 14th.

Though he picked up a shot on the 16th he was back to two-over with a bogey on the par-four 18th at the Copperleaf Golf and Country Estate in Centurion.

The round collapsed even more on the inward nine with bogeys on holes one, four and six to leave the Malton & Norton Golf Club ace near the foot of the field ahead of today’s second round.

Dyson’s other playing partner, former Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria-Olazabal, finished on 76.

Meanwhile, Harrogate GC’s John Parry also fired a four-over 76.

However, Rotherham’s Danny Willett, coached by Graham Walker who is the head pro at the Oaks GC, shot a four-under 68 to finish tied for tenth position.