Yates success the latest in year of surprises

It would just about complete a year of surprises in golf if the player to shine the brightest at the Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland was a Scot most of the public probably have never come across before.

Simon Yates is that person. He is from Glasgow and the joint leader going into today’s second round, but even north of the border he is still a virtual unknown.

After Ben Curtis at the Open – “Ben Who?” was a question being asked even in the media centre at Sandwich – Shaun Micheel at the US PGA and Robert-Jan Derksen at the Dubai Desert Classic, Yates was another to need some introduction after his 66 at St Andrews yesterday.

“A lot of people have obviously never heard of me,” he said before going on to explain why.

Yates, a promising skier in his youth, has never even tried for a European Tour card because he is based in Thailand and has no plans to change.

“Europe just doesn’t interest me,” he added. “I have a great condo on the beach out there and I really like the life.

“I just like the heat. I find when it gets cold and windy you suddenly start feeling stiff and I don’t feel like I can really rip the ball.

“It’s nice to come back and have a nice round, though, and hopefully I can keep it going. Anyone can win on the European Tour as you’ve seen this year. Hopefully it’s me.”