Simon Dyson ended the “hardest four days of golf” in his life to finish as the top-ranked Englishman in the 140th Open Championship.

The Malton & Norton Golf Club ace’s gutsy two-over-par performance in atrocious conditions earned him a share of ninth place at Royal St George’s – and an automatic entry into next year’s event at Royal Lytham.

It also earned him a prize pot of about £104,000 and propelled him eight places up the world rankings to a year’s best 66th.

Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke lifted the famous Claret Jug and Dyson – who at one point was top of the leaderboard – was the only other British player to make the top 20, having only sneaked into the field as a reserve a week before the tournament began, as reported by the Gazette last week.

“I’ve had four of the hardest days of golf I think I’ve ever had, and to come out at two-over I’m really pleased,” said the 33-year-old, who has battled a back problem in recent weeks.

“The huge thing for me is getting my automatic berth next year, as it saves having to go to Sunningdale or the regional qualifier.”

Dyson outplayed the likes of world numbers one and two Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, who both missed the cut. Revelling in his best-ever finish at the Open – his previous high was joint 34th at St Andrews in 2005 – Dyson said: “If you finish above Luke and Lee you know you’ve played well.

“The way I played at Castle Stuart (in the Scottish Open) I knew I was coming in here with a nice bit of form, but obviously Luke had won the tournament so he was coming in with a lot better form.

“You can’t really think about them, you’ve just got to concentrate on your own game, especially in weather like we’ve had.”

Dyson had planned to be on holiday in Marbella but after American David Toms pulled out, he rearranged his flights for this week.

“I’m now taking a week off and having that break in Spain but I’ll be getting some practice in while I’m there as this week has really got me looking forward to the rest of the season.”

On a rollercoaster closing day, Dyson dropped shots at the third and sixth holes before roaring back into contention with a stunning eagle at the seventh and a birdie at the eighth.

Bogeys followed at the ninth and tenth, but a four on the par-five 14th ensured a best-ever Open finish for the York ace.

He said: “The birdie (at eight) was a bonus after bogeying both the par threes, as was the eagle on seven. But then I let it slip a bit.”

Dyson had carded a two-over-par 72 on a rain-lashed and windswept day three to stay in contention going into the final round.

That followed a remarkable opening two days during which he led the tournament only for a late collapse to see him tumble down the standings.

A sensational start to his second round brought birdies at the opening three holes – and the overall lead on five under par following a two-under-par opening round of 68.

But the lead slipped away on the back nine as he carded bogeys at holes 13 and 15 and a double bogey six at 17, leaving him four shots off the early half-way clubhouse leaders.

Dyson blamed that stutter on “poor decisions”, but also said he was thrilled to see his name at the top of the leaderboard.

“It was great,” he said. “If you don’t get any enjoyment from that then you are in the wrong game.”