Simon Dyson clinches title with closing 66 - Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2009

Dyson seized the initiative by running up six birdies in the first seven holes on his way to a six-under-par 66 and a 20-under 268 total, winning by three strokes from compatriots Rory McIlroy and Oliver Wilson.

McIlroy had to be content with climbing to the top of Europe’s money-list (Race to Dubai) with his joint runner-up finish.

Trailing the lead by a stroke overnight, Dyson’s blazing start earned him his second title in seven weeks.

He had closed with a 63 and won a playoff to take the Dutch Open title in August and at the time called it the round of his life. However, the 31-year-old Englishman has now reassessed his career-best effort.

“The KLM (Dutch) round was great but it was nowhere near compared to this,” Dyson told reporters. “It’s the best round of my life. This is like our fifth major. What could be better than doing this at the home of golf?

“I couldn’t have wished for a better start. It was a brilliant day.”

While Dyson picked up the $800,000 winner’s cheque, 20-year-old Northern Irishman McIlory’s $430,000 took him past the absent Martin Kaymer and Paul Casey to sit on top of Europe’s money-list.

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