Dyson's Chinese adventure continues

Simon Dyson has found a home from home in China and as if to prove his point he continued to set the pace in the BMW Asian Open in Shanghai.

The overnight leader followed his course-record 66 with a three-under round of 69 to hold a two-shot advantage over Miguel Angel Jimenez and Ireland’s Paul McGinley.

Dyson, aged 26, has so far enjoyed remarkable success in China, winning the Macau Open, the China Open and the Hong Kong Open en route to claiming the Asian Order of Merit in 2000 and that form looks like continuing.

Despite struggling to one over at the turn today, four birdies on the back nine took him to three under for the day and back into the lead at nine under.

Dyson attributed his success in Asia to the atmosphere which pervades the further reaches of the European Tour.

“I feel a lot more at home in Asia. I feel it is more relaxed out here than it is back home in Europe,” he said.

“It’s like dog eat dog in Europe. I played in Asia in 2000 and got my card in Europe for the 2001 season.

“This is where I started and all my friends are out here. I love coming back. I enjoy the courses and everyone makes you feel so welcome – some back in Europe don’t.”

Dyson is in his third tournament since returning to action after a cracking a bone in his arm at the Caltex Masters in Singapore in March but does not appear to be suffering any after effects.

“I had it at a 90 degree angle for about three weeks and just couldn’t move it at all,” he added.

“About four weeks later it was fine. This is my third tournament back and I haven’t felt any side effects. It still feels a bit weak but it doesn’t hurt, that’s the main thing.”

McGinley is another who is easing his way back into the swing of things after an injury-enforced absence.

However, the problem which saw him have an operation to remove cartilage from his right knee did not slow him down today as he moved into joint second place on seven under after a three-under-par front nine eased him towards a round of 69.

“I had five weeks’ break and last week was my first back and I played quite decently at the British Masters,” he said.

“I started well here so it makes me feel good.”

And his promising start to this tournament at the Tomson Golf Club has raised McGinley’s hopes of qualifying for this year’s Ryder Cup.

The 37-year-old Dubliner was, of course, the man who holed the winning putt at The Belfry to win the 34th Ryder Cup in 2002.

“It’s a long way away (Ryder Cup qualification) but I’m going to have to play very well between now and then,” he said.

“That’s something in the distance. I’m 15th [on the European points list] at the moment. A big week, any week will help me.”

Spain’s Jimenez should have no such problems qualifying for the Ryder Cup as two Tour wins already this season have thrust him into the frame.

His course record-equalling 66 followed a first-day 71 to keep him in contention at seven under.

He began with two birdies and added four more over the final six holes in a bogey-free round.

France’s Jean-Francois Lucquin also shot a 66 to lift him to six under alongside Germany’s Alex Cejka and America’s Gregory Hanrahan.

Cejka recovered from a bogey at the third to fire home three birdies in his 70 while Hanrahan would have been out in front had he not bogeyed the last two holes in his 71.

Australian great Greg Norman, who qualifies to play on the Champions Tour next year, managed a level-par 72 to finish on five under.

Norman, who rolled back the years with a 67 yesterday, endured an indifferent start following up a birdie at the par-five second with consecutive bogeys.

But he then birdied the sixth, ninth and 11th to move to seven under before dropping shots at the short 12th and 17th holes.

Defending champion Padraig Harrington’s second successive par 72 left him tied for 42nd place.