Three awards for Dyson (From Gazette & Herald)

Three awards for Dyson

MALTON professional Simon Dyson picked up three awards in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday night at the Davidoff Asian Tour's awards night and gala dinner at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel.

The 23-year-old received awards for heading the 2000 Order of Merit and being Rookie of the Year. Possibly the biggest honour for Dyson was being voted the Players' Player of the Year - his peers' recognition of a superlative rookie season.

Dyson said he was proud to have topped the table in Asia, where the standard is good and ever-improving.

"The last three tournaments of the year were won by scores of 19-under, 20-under and 21-under," he said. "When you have to hit 21-under to win a tournament you know the standard is very good."

The awards should have given him a well-needed boost after an otherwise forgettable week, Dyson having missed the cut in the Carlsberg Malaysian Open after rounds of 79 and 78.

He remarked afterwards that it was the first time out there that the heat had really affected him. Forced to attack in the second round in a bid to make the cut, he said that he'd simply hit the ball poorly. On top of this he found the cow-grass greens very tricky - his opening round included a four-putt from no more than eight feet on the 18th green.

The event was won by Fiji's Vijay Singh - despite a double bogey at the 17th hole in regular play - who beat Ireland's Padraig Harrington at the third play-off hole.

This week it's the Singapore Open for Dyson before flying to Dubai, Qatar, and finally home for a well-earned break.

Updated: 16:59 Friday, February 23, 2001