ENGLAND'S banner was flying high in Shanghai today as North Yorkshire golf ace Simon Dyson led a world-class field after the first day of the BMW Asian Open.

The 26-year-old Dyson, the former Asian Tour Order of Merit winner four years ago, boasts an impressive record of three wins from three tournaments in China and opened his campaign for a fourth with an excellent putting display at the Tomson Pudong Golf Club in the European Tour's first excursion to mainland China.

His first round six-under-par 66 put him one shot clear of Thailand's Pryad Marksaeng and Australia's 'Great White Shark', Greg Norman.

Said Dyson: "It is a nice one to be leading by one over Greg Norman.

"I putted really well and never missed a thing. I had three lip-outs and a horse-shoe as well. It just felt great."

Dyson played in the group ahead of Norman and the two shared the lead on five under par before the Yorkshireman birdied the last to set the clubhouse target.

Dyson missed the cut at the British Masters last week but his only blip today came with a bogey on the long 15th - his fourth - otherwise his seven birdies were enough for the clubhouse lead.

Marksaeng, playing alongside Norman, charged up the leaderboard after a double bogey seven on the second - his 11th - left him on one over par.

His response was remarkable. Four birdies and an eagle two on the par-four seventh, secured with a wedge, left him tied with Norman on five under par for the day.

Ireland's Paul McGinley and Australian Marcus Both were level on four under par after each carded a solid 68.

Updated: 11:00 Thursday, May 13, 2004