EVERY Open championship throws up it's surprise package and if it happens to be Simon Dyson in the Millennium tournament at St Andrews then Steve Robinson will not be taken aback.

Malton and Norton professional Robinson has helped guide the 21-year-old, who qualified for the Open with a stunning nine under par round at Scotscraig, from being a youngster and he believes that Dyson has the mettle to handle the big occasion.

"I have worked with Simon a long time and he has what it takes," enthused Robinson. "He has a huge heart and he has the ability, but most all he knows where he wants to be.

"He knew that this week he wanted to be playing in the Open in the year 2000 and he wouldn't want to be anywhere else and he does everything to achieve those targets."

Dyson, who has been a professional for less than a year, has been getting used to playing his golf with a little more attention being paid by the public.

First it was Nairn last September when he was in the Great Britain and Ireland amateur side that won the Walker Cup against the USA, then the graft of qualifying for his Asian Tour card and next the limelight of winning first the Macau Open and then the Volvo China Open in consecutive weeks.

But whatever interest those successes generated, it will be nothing compared to the pressure cooker of the world's sport media focusing their attention on the Open on the Old Course as it gets underway tomorrow.

But even the carnival and cameras will not disturb Dyson's focus reckons Robinson.

"Even since he was young Simon has never been put off by who he was playing," explained Robinson.

"He has always been able to concentrate on his own game and had belief in his own ability.

"Just don't be surprised if this week he eclipses his already spectacular achievements with something even more special.

"I say that because he is a world class player. To shoot a nine under par 62 in an Open qualifier is a world class performance."

Characteristically the unflappable Dyson is taking it steady and will try and keep things as familiar as possible - even opting not to use a caddie from the St Andrews area just to gain extra local knowledge - and keeping his targets short term and attainable.

"I have got my usual caddie, John Roberts, who has been out with me on the Asian Tour which is good," said Dyson. "And I like St Andrews. I played there a couple of years ago in a links tournament and enjoyed it."

Dyson starts at 10.40am tomorrow and partners Sweden's Michael Jonzon and Ilkley's Gordon Brand junior.

peter.barrow@ycp.co.uk