Dyson elevates status with Dunhill win
BY Bruce Young | European PGA Tour | 2009 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship | Round Four | 06 Oct 2009
Simon Dyson has won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship by three shots from Oliver Wilson and Rory McIlroy, a final round of 66 at St Andrews good enough for the 31 year old Englishman to secure his fourth European Tour title and his second of the 2009 season. Dyson moves into 8th position in the Race to Dubai standings.
Starting the final round one shot behind the third round leader, Luke Donald, Dyson’s brilliant outward nine of 30 gave him the luxury of being able to play the back nine in even par and still win by three.
It was a delighted Dyson who spoke afterwards.
“At the beginning of the week top three was my aim but hopefully Top-10, but up to 45 in the world and it would be nice to hang around there, because obviously I’ve never played Augusta, so that’s the one I want to play. And yeah, it gets me in some good events next year, so I’m looking forward to that.”
With the Open Championship at St Andrews next July, Dyson looked ahead with some anticipation.
“Yeah, I can’t wait. I’ve always enjoyed coming to play here. I have played in two Opens here, nothing major, top 35, but obviously a pair of 6-unders the last two times I played it, playing like that in a major, you’ll be up there again. We’ll see but look forward to it, though.”
Wilson’s final round of 65 was worth a lot of money to him in this lucrative event, his share of second with McIlroy earning him €280,000 and into 7th position in the Race to Dubai.
McIlroy and Dyson appeared likely to fight it out over the closing few holes until untimely bogies by McIlroy at the 16th and 17th holes left him too much work to do. He birdied the final hole but by then it was all too late, although it did earn him a share of second position with Wilson.
McIlroy takes the lead in the Race to Dubai standings with just over €2,008,000.
Scotland’s Richie Ramsay three putted the final hole to slip to 4th but it was a week that will allow him to retain his playing rights in Europe next season, sharing that 4th position with Spain’s Rafael Cabrera Bello.
Brett Rumford was the top Australian finishing in 19th position, Wade Ormsby was 51st and Richard Green the only other Australian to make the cut finished 53rd.
The leading Pro-Am Team was Soren Hansen and Kieran McManus who won by five over Australians Scott Strange and former cricket captain Steve Waugh.
The European Tour will now move to Spain for the Madrid Masters.
