Dyson moves six shots clear

Englishman Simon Dyson surged into a commanding six-shot lead after the third round of the US$1.5 million BMW Asian Open on a day when Australian legend Greg Norman was disqualified for a rules breach.

The 26-year-old Dyson, who has led from the first day, revelled in the rain at Tomson Golf Club and matched his opening day’s course record of six-under-par 66 today, thanks to a burst of five straight birdies on an amazing front nine.

His three-day total of 15-under-par 201 is well clear of Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, who double bogeyed his last hole for a 70 and Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng, who gave himself an outside chance of winning with an accomplished 67 highlighted by his second eagle two of the week.

The BMW Asian Open is jointly sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours and China Golf Association.

“I was a bit nervous at the start but parred the first hole with some good shots and that settled me down. The birdie on two was the start I needed. Parred the next two and then the madness began,” said Dyson of his five birdies in a row.

“Playing with Miguel definitely helped me. He’s a world class player. I thought if I matched him, I’ll put on a good score. When you are watching good shots, it helps you.”

Norman was disqualified for a rules breach on the par three 17th hole when his tee shot found water guarding the green. Instead of going back to the tee or using the drop zone, he dropped it two club lengths of the yellow line rather than keeping the point of entry between himself and the hole, which was a serious breach of the water hazard rule (Rule 26).

“I just took an illegal drop. I should have gone back to the drop zone and I didn’t. I quite honestly didn’t notice it was yellow (line) and just treated it as red. And I teed off on 18 and that was the end. It was an unfortunate mistake,” said the Great White Shark, who was three under for the round and eight under for the tournament through 16 holes before the infringement.

“I’ve had a bad drop with water hazards and lateral hazard for the second time this year. This one here, I was just totally oblivious. It was a good day up till that point. I guess the rules are there. I can’t blame anybody except myself,” added Aussie, who was disqualified in a US PGA Tour event earlier this year.

Dyson will be looking to complete an amazing collection of titles in China, having won the national Opens of Hong Kong, Macau and China in 2000, the year he claimed the Asian Order of Merit title in his rookie professional year.

“In the three times that I won here, I went into the last round twice with the lead. I’ll try to not think about it. Level par, I’ll go for it and if I shoot under tomorrow I’ll be very happy. If I shoot under and somebody beats me, they deserve to beat me,” said Dyson.

“When I won three times here, it was a freak year. I played really well. I’ve been back a few times to Hong Kong and Macau but never really done anything besides a top 10 in Hong Kong. When I came back here, the good feelings came straight back. I’ve been practising hard and trying to play as well as I can. Thankfully the course is fantastic and it suits my game.”

Smooth-swinging Prayad, who impressed playing partner Norman on the first day, recorded his second eagle two of the week on his first hole, a nine iron from 144 yards finding the bottom of the cup. A bogey on four was quickly overcome with birdies on the sixth and he picked up further shots on the eighth, 10th, where he chipped in, and 14.

“I didn’t sleep well last night and woke up this morning with a headache. I played fairly well, hit my irons okay and putted steadily. Started good with an eagle two where my nine iron spun back into the hole. I will have a chance to win tomorrow if (Simon) Dyson is not on the board. I’ll aim to finish high and aim for top-five at least,” said the slightly-built Thai.

Jimenez, chasing for his third win of the year, saw his hopes dip somewhat when he found water going for the par five last hole in two shots. “I was playing very well, very solid throughout the round up till 18. I tried to reach the green in two. I used a three wood and hit it too far right and found water. I hit my fourth shot and was too aggressive and made two putts for double.

“Simon is up by six but there are still 18 holes to play. You never know. I’ll be aggressive tomorrow and try to catch him. He’s playing very well and very solid. He deserves his position and was putting very good,” he said.

Frenchman Jean-Francois Lucquin is in fourth place on 208 following a 70 while Chinese ace Zhang Lian-wei also carded a 70 to end the day on 209, eight shots behind the leader. He finished the day alongside Australian Adam Groom, who shot a 71, and Paul McGinley of Ireland, who recovered from a double bogey start to finish with a 72.

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