Dyson steps in as Toms misses British Open

ENGLAND’S Simon Dyson will play in next week’s British Open after American David Toms yesterday became the fourth player to withdraw this week.

Former US PGA champion Toms has a hip injury and pulled out after just nine holes of the John Deere Classic yesterday.

He went into the event with a problem, saying: “I’ve got a bad hip right now and just to walk around this golf course is quite a feat.”

Toms follows Tiger Woods, Thomas Levet and Tim Clark in removing his name from The Open starting line-up.

Dyson was in position to qualify off a mini-money list two weeks ago, but was knocked out when Spanish duo Pablo Larrazabal and Sergio Garcia finished first and second respectively in the BMW International Open in Germany.

Dyson heard the news after completing a four-under-par 68 in the first round of the Scottish Open.

“Get in,” said the York golfer, who played at Sandwich in a British Amateur. “I’m really pleased.”

Having had back trouble on and off for the last eight months he was planning a cortisone injection next Wednesday, although he added: “I never felt it today.”

American former Ryder Cup player Anthony Kim has confirmed he will be at Sandwich. Kim, who missed St Andrews last year following thumb surgery, was given the chance to return when South African Tim Clark pulled out with elbow tendinitis.

Dane Thomas Bjorn, who was runner-up when The Open last visited Sandwich in 2003 and lost a three-shot lead with four to play then, is now first reserve.

Picture: Simon Dyson: Englishman will be at the British Open next week.