Simon Dyson eyes Thai Royal Trophy golf prize

10:23am Wednesday 18th November 2009

Exclusive By Steve Carroll

The York-born European Tour star has been selected for the European side which will take on the might of Asia in the in Thailand in January.

Dyson, who learned of his selection last week, will team up with the likes of Henrik Stenson, Robert Karlsson and Martin Kaymer in a side skippered by Colin Montgomerie.

Monty, who will also play in the Royal Trophy alongside taking the captaincy, takes charge of Europe’s bid to regain the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales and the Thailand duel could provide a perfect chance for Dyson to show why he should be selected for golf’s premier team event in September.

Dyson currently lies second in both the European and world points list for Ryder Cup qualification ahead of the 2009 season-ending Dubai World Championship, which starts tomorrow.

The Royal Trophy is being held at the Amata Spring Country Cup, in Chonburi, from January 8 to 10 and Dyson will be attempting to extend a perfect record.

The Malton & Norton Golf Club ace has never been on the losing side in a team event, having won the Walker Cup with Great Britain and Ireland at Nairn in 1999 and also been on winning sides in the 2007 Seve Trophy and the Vivendi Trophy earlier this year.

Dyson said: “I am very pleased. I have played in the Seve Trophy a couple of times but the Royal Trophy is a good one to get into because it is Europe.

“If the full side was picked I wouldn’t have been in it but other guys have got other commitments.

“It will be good to play for Colin Montgomerie and I will be looking forward to taking my chance.

“There are some good players taking part like Martin Kaymer and Henrik Stenson and I will be looking to do well. It will be brilliant. I like playing in Asia. I have had some good results over there.

It was in Asia where Dyson made his first major impact, winning the Order of Merit in his rookie year as a professional in 2000.

Asia are captained by Naomich ‘Joe’ Ozaki and will be calling on the likes of Asia Order of Merit winner Thongchai Jaidee, European Tour stalwart Jeev Milka Singh and Korean prodigy Charlie Wi.