Simon Dyson captured last year’s Irish Open by one shot from Australian Richard Green. Here, in an excerpt from The European Tour Yearbook 2012, we recap how the Englishman claimed his first of two European Tour triumphs in the 2011 season in Ireland.
They came in their tens of thousands to herald Ireland’s four Major Champions but the huge galleries left the Irish Open marvelling at the supreme golfing talents of England’s Simon Dyson who claimed his fifth victory on The European Tour International Schedule.
Without question, the crowds gave a hero’s welcome to Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy but their innate golfing knowledge allowed them to also appreciate Dyson’s ability which saw him move from outside the top 40 after round one to tied fifth at the halfway stage, into a share of the lead at the end of the third round before eventually walking into the winners’ circle on Sunday.
The win capped a wonderful July for Dyson, a fortnight after finishing ninth in The Open at Royal St George’s, a tournament he got into despite being fifth reserve less than a week before the Championship begun.
However, it is widely recognised that every victory needs a bit of good fortune and Dyson’s came thanks to a missed opportunity by Australian Richard Green. The left hander had shared pole position with David Howell and Dyson going into the final round and early birdies saw him lead on his own into the final stages.
But Dyson’s birdies at the 16th and 17th moved him level and a play-off looked likely until Green three putted from 60 feet on the final green for a bogey five to confirm the Englishman’s success.
To order your copy of The European Tour Yearbook 2012, a 240-page, full colour hardback Official Publication with iconic pictures by Getty Images and essays from some of the game's top writers that takes you every step of the way through 52 tournaments and 29 destinations on The 2011 Race to Dubai, click here.
