England’s Simon Dyson continued to sweep all before him in the BMW Asian Open at the Tomson Shanghai Pudong Club in China. The 26 year old first and second round leader extended his advantage over the field to six shots after firing a third round 66, the foundation of which was a magnificent outward 30.
Dyson drew clear of his nearest rival, Spain’s Miguel Angel Jiménez, who took a seven at the last, and heads into the final round as the only player into double-digits under par, the Englishman finishing a wet and uncomfortable day on 201, 15 under par, with Jiménez. on 207 alongside Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng.
Dyson now aims to build on his phenomenal success in China during his rookie season of 2000 when he won the Macau Open and Volvo China Open in mainland China in addition to the Omega Hong Kong Open en route to winning the Asian Tour Order of Merit that year.
A first success on The European Tour International Schedule would enable Dyson to complete a remarkable four-timer and Dyson set up that prospect with his blistering front nine which truly ignited at the fifth.
Dyson followed a birdie at the second with three par figures then let rip with five consecutive birdies between the fifth and ninth to reach the turn in 30 blows. Although his putter cooled somewhat on the back nine, par figures were sufficient to keep him ahead of Jiménez.
Dyson is in his third tournament since returning to action after a cracking a bone in his arm at the Caltex Masters, presented by Carlsberg, Singapore, 2004, 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 said.
"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
The Spaniard, already a two-time winner on The European Tour International Schedule, opened with a birdie and took a back seat as his playing partner, Dyson, let the birdies flow on the outward half. However Jiménez.found another gear of his own by picking up strokes at the tenth, 13th and 14th before sinking a huge putt from the apron of the 17th green. A double bogey at the last dropped him back into a share of second.
Marksaeng moved smoothly into joint second place with a 67 for a total of 207, nine under par, in his bid to follow countryman, Thongchai Jaidee, into the winners’ enclosure this season. Frenchman Jean-Francois Lucquin is fourth on his own on 208.
Australian Greg Norman, in contention from the first day, was disqualified after taking an incorrect drop at the penultimate hole.
The European Tour's Senior Referee, Andy McFee, explained: "Greg Norman dropped in a wrong place in taking relief from the water hazard on the 17th hole.
"He dropped within two club-lengths of the yellow line rather than keeping the point of entry between himself and the hole. To drop correctly, he would have had to either return to the tee or use the drop-zone (as keeping the point between himself and hole was not a realistic option in this case).
"As the place where he dropped was 60 to 70 yards., in advance of the drop zone, this was a serious breach of the Water Hazard Rule (Rule 26)and as it was not corrected before teeing off the next hole, he was subject to a penalty of disqualification. (Rule 26-1b and Rule 20-7c)."
