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In-form Dyson favourite for Hero Honda

With two wins in Europe this year, five wins in national Opens to his credit and a tremendous track record in Asia, England’s Simon Dyson is the hot favourite to win the US$400,000 Hero Honda Indian Open, which tees-off tomorrow at Delhi Golf Club.

The 28 year old broke through on the European Tour for the first time by winning the Indonesia Open in March, a tournament joint sanctioned between the Asian and European Tours, and claimed the Dutch Open in August.

It has been a season that has seen him fulfill the potential he showed when he triumphed three times on the Asian Tour in his rookie year in 2000. That year he claimed the Macau Open, the Volvo China Open and the Hong Kong Open en route to winning the Order of Merit title.

The fact that it took him until this year to taste victory again surprised many but any frustrations and concerns he had were well and truly put to rest when he beat Australian Richard Green in a sudden-death play-off in Holland.

“I finally started believing in myself. My confidence is right up there. I am now playing in some big tournaments and really enjoying my golf this year,” said the Yorkshireman.

“I have always enjoyed my golf but I don’t think there has been one week this year when I haven’t enjoyed playing,” he added.

The turnaround in his fortunes has stemmed from a better work ethic.

“I have dedicated myself a lot better. I have been doing what everyone else has been doing. Getting fitter, working hard. It seems to have worked pretty well,” said Dyson.

The memories of his superb year in Asia six years ago are still very fresh with him and will no doubt stand him in good stead when he attempts to win his third title this year.

He added: “I had a great year out here in 2000. I’ll never forget it. I got to know all the players and the courses. There are good golfers here. It will be a tough one to win.”

He’s been paired with defending champion Thaworn Wiratchant from Thailand, who is currently ranked 12th on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, and Indian Jyoti Randhawa, the winner in 2000, in the first two rounds.

“I know them very well. We have all topped the Order of Merit. If you come out on top in that group you know you have played good golf,” added Dyson.

Dyson has made the trip to India with fellow European Tour players Graeme McDowell from Northern Ireland and Scotland’s Andrew Coltart.

At today’s press conference they were each asked what they thought the winning score would be and McDowell quipped: “Ask Simon what he is planning to shoot.”

McDowell is looking for his first win since he claimed the Italian Open in 2004 while Coltart last won in 2001 in the Great North Open.

Said Coltart: “I am in the unenviable position of bringing no form into this week what so ever so there is absolutely no pressure on me at all.

My confidence is probably as low as I have ever had it. Hopefully there will be a chance here to pick up a bit of confidence. If I can get a bit of momentum going I can try and kick start something.”

October 18, 2006