York golfer Simon Dyson is gearing up for a dream debut at Augusta. TONY KELLY talks to him about the Masters.

FOUR rather than fore will be the driving power behind York tsar of par Simon Dyson’s first assault on the US Masters championship.

The world ranked number 56 accomplishes a professional life time ambition when he steps on to the world-famous fairways and greens of the Augusta National course tomorrow.

But while he is determined to soak up every milli-second of the experience, the thoroughly driven nature of the highly-competitive Dyson is to ensure he has the full four days of the course in Georgia always on his mind.

The 32-year-old’s main aim is to make the halfway cut, no small feat when considering this is the debut in the first Major of the season for Dyson and also that he has played on the competitive circuit just once in the last two weeks.

However, the Malton & Norton GC star can take heart from that last appearance, the Shell Houston Open in Texas, where he finished a creditable joint 65th.

But for a calamitous third round of six-over-par 78, Dyson could well have notched up a top 40 finish after opening rounds of 73 and 71 were rounded off on the Sunday by a level-par 72.

For Dyson it was vital to be involved to the bitter end at the Redstone Golf Course in Humble as he sharpened his game after his lay-off from the circuit.

Now he hopes from those Humble beginnings he will be able to repeat the feat and compete across the full four days of the US Masters.

He believes he knows what is needed after several practice sessions on the Augusta National course, two this week, as the world’s top golfers arrived in Georgia, plus a brace of rounds ten days ago.

Said Dyson: “I have to admit that when I played the practice rounds the week before last I was like a kid in a sweet shop.

“The feeling was just so good to be going round a course which I have always wanted to play. It’s a great course, one of the very best in the world.

“While I am determined to soak up everything and enjoy the occasion, the first thing for me is to make the cut. I want to play in all four rounds and that will help me to make the most of the experience.”

Dyson is not the longest of big-hitters, but his consistent accuracy off the tee and steady approach play should suit him at Augusta.

He recognised that apart from the length of several daunting par fours, the course was fairly kind off the tee, rewarding those players who remain on the fairway.

But it was the notorious Augusta greens where many players often came a cropper.

Said Dyson: “You can really play well from tee to green, but often what you think is a good shot onto the green can be turned from a safe two-putt to a damaging three-putt.

“That’s what it makes it one of the best courses in the world and now I’m here I can’t wait to have a crack at it.”

Keep up to date with Simon Dyson’s progress in the Masters in The Press and on this website.


Masters is a family affair for North Yorkshire golf ace

SIMON Dyson was a happy man today – and not simply because he is on the verge of his US Masters baptism.

The 32-year-old York-born and North Yorkshire-bred lord of the swing has been joined in Georgia by a party of family and friends.

Besides his elder brother Nick, who is line to be caddy for Dyson in today’s pre-tournament par-three competition if their entry is accepted, Dyson’s mum and dad, John and Ann were in the support party.

All together there were around 14 friends and family ready to cheer Dyson hopefully around the maximum four rounds of the Masters from tomorrow.

And Dyson, who has been in the States for almost the past month, was delighted that they were all coming.

He said: “After the World Golf Championship in Florida last month I did think about going home as I’ve been lonely stuck here, even though the weather is superb.

“Then I thought the jet-lag might have an adverse effect, so I decided to stay on and practice until the Houston Open next week and now the Masters.

“So to have so many of my friends and family here is such a great boost.”


Masters odds

OUT of the 12 Brits featuring in this year’s US Masters, York’s Simon Dyson is one of the longest shots to finish the four days clad in the historic green jacket.

Bookmaker totesport have Dyson priced at 350-1 as outright winner with only two former British winners, and now veterans, Sandy Lyle (2,500-1) and Ian Woosnam (3,000-1) further out in the betting.

The leading Brit is world number four Lee Westwood who is fifth in the prices at 20-1 behind returning world number one Tiger Woods (9-2), fellow American Phil Mickelson (12-1), South Africa’s Ernie Els (14-1) and Ireland’s Padraig Harrington (16-1).

After Westwood, the rest of the Brit-pack betting is as follows: Paul Casey (30-1), Ian Poulter (35-1), Rory McIlroy (50-1), Ross Fisher (80-1), Luke Donald (110-1), Graeme McDowell (125-1), Oliver Wilson (200-1) and Chris Wood (300-1).


Masters stats

• There will be 97 players in this week’s Masters – the most since 1966 and the fourth biggest field in the tournament’s history.

• The record field was 109 in 1962, followed by 103 in 1966 and 101 in 1957.

• There are 25 Europeans taking part – eight English, two Northern Irish, one Irish, one Scot, one Welsh, three Spanish, two German, three Danish, one Swede and three Italians – brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari and 16-year-old British amateur champion Matteo Manassero, the youngest player in Masters history.