MALTON and Norton golfer Simon Dyson believes it is only a matter of time before he returns to the Top 20 on a European Tour leaderboard, writes Ian Appleyard.

Dyson produced his 'best performance of the season' at the Nordea Masters last weekend when finishing joint 57th out of 156 players and banking just under £3,800 in prize money.

Having missed the cut in his previous four tournaments, it was a welcome return to form for the six-time former European Tour winner who has been struggling over the last couple of years following wrist surgery.

Dyson, 39, will now be looking to build on his latest result at the Lyoness Open, which starts in Vienna tomorrow.

"I am going to Austria full of confidence after Sweden," he said. “It was good to play so well and I would say it was my best performance of the season.

"It feels like I am finding my feet again," he added. "If I keep improving now, I can see a top 20 or a top 15 finish just around the corner."

After hitting a par 73 on both of his first two rounds at the Nordea Masters, Dyson dropped five shots on the third day and tumbled down the leaderboard.

He started the fourth round with an eagle on the first hole, however, and completed his round in 71 shots to finish three over par for the tournament.

“I had been playing well and felt I played lovely at Wentworth (in the PGA Championship). But I played really lovely in Sweden, especially on the final day,” he said.

“I have been working with the physio and the wrist felt fine which makes a big difference. It is good when you are trying for certain shots and they are coming off consistently. I was really pleased.”

Renato Paratore of Italy won the tournament and his first European tour title, finishing one shot ahead of English duo Chris Wood and Matt Fitzpatrick on 11 under par.

"If people are winning on 11 under par, it tells you that it was a tough course," Dyson reflected. "For me to shoot two under on the final round was really good. It's absolutely great for my confidence.

"It's also a good time to come into form," he added. "Between June, July, and August there are some really good tournaments."

Dyson will have an eleven day break after the Lyoness Open before returning to action at the BMW International Open in Munich on June 22.