York’s in-form irons and woods worker Simon Dyson speaks candidly to TONY KELLY of his preparations for the last tournament in golf’s grand slam.

ATLANTA Athletic Club could see a slice of history in the USPGA Championship – the final major of 2011.

York-born Simon Dyson is part of the core of golfers under the management of Andrew “Chubby” Chandler.

Already this year’s three other majors are in the grip of Chandler-managed players – South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel seized the Masters’ green jacket; Rory McIlroy was crowned the US Open title-holder; and McIlroy’s fellow Irishman, Darren Clarke, was the recent winner of The Open.

It’s no surprise that tomorrow’s swansong in Georgia is being labelled as a potential “Chubby Slam”. Pundits are forecasting that others of his stable like Louis Oosthuizen and Graeme McDowell – both past major winners – and world number two Lee Westwood could complete the Team Chandler take-all of major titles.

To that list must now be added Dyson, who, Chandler insisted, had the talent to be a regular top 30 player and who he envisaged being in “the mix” for major honours.

Dyson coyly agreed with The Press he might even be worth an outside bet for tomorrow’s final major, and not just because it is an event in which he finished an impressive sixth as the leading Englishman in 2009 and a creditable 12th last year to earn automatic qualification for the tournament at Atlanta AC.

“Hearing what Chubby said has helped me to realise I am a player who deserves to be in such good company,” said the Malton & Norton Golf Club ace.

“Since The Open, when I played in some of the worst conditions I have experienced but was only beaten by one player, Thomas Bjorn, in my half of the draw, I have realised maybe I’m not such a bad player. Maybe I have got something about me.”

Dyson’s confidence boost was increased by last week’s World Golf Championship showing in the Bridgestone Invitational, where he was 33rd after a calamitous first day 77 left him tied for final place.

“Other than hitting the ball too long I actually played quite well in that first round, so I wasn’t too down,” said Dyson.

“My driving statistics in the tournament – he followed his 77 with sub-par rounds of 66, 69 and 68 – were among the best at 80 per cent.

“Winning a major is always the dream and everyone who does win always needs a bit of luck.

“And a lot of it comes down to the course. Last year at Whistling Straits suited me. I’ve not played this one (Atlanta AC), so I’ll have a look in practice and just see how I can make the most of it.”

Dyson was certain how being among the Chandler pack of major winners was an immense bonus.

“G-Mac (Graeme McDowell) started it when he won the US Open last year, and since then we’ve had Louis (Oosthuizen) also last year before Charl (Schwartzel) won this year’s Masters, then Rory got his, and then, of course, Clarkey at The Open,” said Dyson.

“We mix with each other, so being in the same management as those sort of players rubs off on you. It can only be of great benefit.

“It would be great if the “Chubby Slam” was completed this week.”