ONE shot and a switch of attitude combined to “open” the door to more success for swing commander Simon Dyson.

As he honed his game for the final practice round ahead of tomorrow’s USPGA championship, Dyson recalled how events in The Open Championship at Sandwich and then at the Irish Open in Killarney provided him with a fresh perspective on his game and his approach to a sport he has graced as a professional for just over 11 years.

The first incident was during the 140th Open Championship which were battered by howling gales and lashing wind at the Royal St George’s Links course.

All of Dyson’s four rounds took part in the worst of conditions on each of the four days, yet he still managed to close the world’s greatest solo tournament as the highest-placed Englishman with a joint ninth finish.

As he reflected on rounds of 70, 65, 67 and 67, Dyson recalled being faced with tackling the elements at their wildest.

“I remember there was this shot I had to manufacture to find something in the wind. I don’t know where it came from, I don’t really know what it was, but I what I do remember is striking the ball so clean that it flew through the wind to where I wanted it go,” said the world-ranked number 49 player.

“That convinced me my iron play was a good as it had ever been and it gave me loads of confidence.”

Dyson’s assurance was further reinforced at the Irish Open in Killarney, where he headed a top-drawer field to win his fifth European Tour championship in the last six years.

“After I won the trophy one of the officials said to me it was one of the best displays of iron play he had seen from anyone,” said Dyson.

“Even I thought my iron play was just so good it was ridiculous.”

But as impressive as his all-round game was to lift the impressive trophy to add to his Indonesian Open title, two KLM Dutch Open crowns, and the stunning Alfred Dunhill Links trophy, was a difference in mindset as he sought to win the Irish Open.

“I so wanted to be first,” he said.

“I knew I could finish first or second and before I have said second is a great result. But this time I was thinking if I won I would get in the World Golf Championship events at Bridgestone and the HSBC at Shanghai later on.

“So that made me so determined to win. I was saying to myself ‘second just won’t do – I want to win, end of story’. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to win a tournament so much. To do it was just great.”

Friends and title-winners savour D-notice

SIMON Dyson and his friend and current world number one Luke Donald have forged an eerie new link.

After Dyson’s stunning triumph in the Irish Open – his fifth European Tour title – Donald rang to remind the York star that whenever Donald seemed to win a tournament Dyson would follow suit.

That was clearly in evidence when three weeks after Donald’s Scottish Open success at Castle Stuart, where Dyson finished tied for 25th spot, the Malton & Norton GC player then lifted the Irish Open at Killarney last month.

Said Dyson, left: “I replied to Luke he better keep on winning then.”

Actually, just three days ago Donald, right, Dyson’s Walker Cup team-mate when they were up and coming amateurs, finished runner-up in last weekend’s World Golf Championship Bridgestone Invitational event in Akron, Ohio, where Dyson was an admirable 33rd.

An omen, perhaps, for tomorrow’s USPGA championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club?