BUOYED by his capture of an American dream, North Yorkshire’s Simon Dyson was today rubbing shoulders with a Major winner.

Dyson started the European Open at the London Golf Club in Ash in Kent, alongside New Zealand’s Michael Campbell, who four years ago won both the US Open and the world Match-play title.

Coincidentally, Dyson showed commanding form earlier this week when he qualified at Walton Heath for this year’s US Open. Two sparkling sub-par rounds put him second out of the 11 qualifiers for next month’s Major to be held at the upper state New York Bethpage Park course.

Of his Walton Heath delight of rounds of 66 and 68, the 31-year-old Dyson insisted he could have had a lot more birdies and will be hoping to continue that same form in the European Open.

That is the latest event in the European Tour Race to Dubai, the standings in which the Malton and Norton Golf Club ace has now advanced to 42nd after his joint 16th place in last weekend’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

A handsome cheque of just over £50,000 took his tournament earnings this year to beyond £265,000. He also rose several places to 121st in the world ratings.