Simon Dyson's downer after slow start in Abu Dhabi (From York Press)

Simon Dyson's downer after slow start in Abu Dhabi

12:07pm Friday 18th January 2013 in Sport By Tony Kelly, Deputy sports editor

YORK’S Simon Dyson did not get off to the desired start of his European Tour campaign – though he finished in world- dominating company.

Dyson began his season in the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship by posting a dismal three-over-par 75 in yesterday’s first round. That left him way down the field, where he was joined by world number one and two-time major winner Rory McIlroy.

The York star rattled up six successive pars, but then suffered his first bogey on the par-three seventh.

After three straight pars, hopes that the world number 71’s dip was over crashed when he skidded to the concession of three shots over the next four holes.

Dyson regathered his composure only at the final hole, where he bagged his lone birdie, carding a four on the 567-yard par five.

He now faces a serious challenge to make today’s halfway cut.

The first day’s clubhouse lead was grabbed by Welshman Jamie Donaldson and world number five Justin Rose.

Their five-under-par 67s gave them an early one-shot lead over Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal, Dyson’s playing partner alongside South Africa’s Hennie Otto, and Dane Thorbjorn Olesen.

After moving five clear of Woods and eight ahead of McIlroy, Donaldson said: “It was a tough day. The wind blew a little and a little wind makes the course very difficult. The rough is very penal.”