WORLD improvement is the 2010 aim for North Yorkshire’s leading golfer Simon Dyson after a momentous past 12 months.

Dyson’s 2009 was the best of his ten-year career. He captured two European crowns – the KLM Dutch Open for the second time and the highly-rated Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.

That silverware surge propelled him to a glorious 44th in the world rankings, as well as eighth spot in the European Order of Merit, where he amassed more than £1,610,000 in prize money alone.

Just for good measure, he presently stands in sixth place in the European standings for the Ryder Cup, the 37th of which exalted tournament is held from October 1 to 3 at the Celtic Manor complex in Wales.

But displaying the keener diligence that helped transform the previous 12 months from languishing in the globe’s top 150 to a coveted place in the world’s foremost 50 players, Dyson insisted he could not dwell too much on the past.

His aim now was to continue his upswing, revealing how his two principal targets were to crack a place in the world’s top 30 players and finish in the first seven of the European Order of Merit, culminating, as it did last year for the first time, in the Dubai World Championship.

Dyson, pictured, who recently celebrated his 32nd birthday, said: “Winning the Alfred Dunhill last year was absolutely brilliant.

“It was great to land the KLM crown again, but to win something as special as the Dunhill was unbelievable. What made it all the sweeter was the manner in which I won and the fact it was at St Andrews as well. It didn’t get much better than that.

“But how to top last year? That’s the best bit about all this.

“I want to go on and improve, so I want to break into the top 30 in the world and also finish in the top seven in Europe’s Order of Merit.

“Even if I did not win a title next year, but I achieved those two aims, then that would top 2009 for me.”

Dyson’s historic 2009 has ensured him qualification for all four Majors, the first of which will be The Masters at the legendary Augusta course in April.

Competing in that tournament has always been a dream cherished by Dyson since he was a teenager. When he strides out at the Georgia peach course he will set himself not one target, save to enjoy the experience.

“Everything’s booked, everything’s in place and I will have about 15 family and friends out there with me. It’s the one I have always longed to play in and I am determined to enjoy the whole experience.”

Confirming he will play more events in the United States – most of the World Golf Championship tournaments are in America, starting in Arizona next month – the Malton and Norton Golf Club star said he will not be turning his back on Europe.

“It’s where I have made my name and it’s where I have had my best golf, so I will be playing the majority of my tournaments on the European Tour to which I am very loyal.”

Of a possible Ryder Cup appearance when the cream of the continent take on the best of the USA in just over ten months’ time, Dyson was less certain.

“I’m not going to think about it,” he said.

“I’ve known players who have tried to build their year around qualifying and it’s ruined their game.

“I’m going to take the start of the year as it comes and see how I go before maybe then revising my goals.”