Differing fortunes for duo Dyson and Parry

Simon Dyson plays for one of the richest prizes in the sport when he competes against 11 of the best golfers in the world at Nedbank Challenge in Sun City, South Africa.

It is just reward for two victories and an elevation into the world’s top 30 in the second half of the season.

“It’s a great honour to be involved in this event,” said the 33-year-old, who alongside Lee Westwood, world No 1 Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer and Darren Clarke will battle for a $5m prize fund.

“I was buzzing when I got the invite to play.”

John Parry, on the other hand, is desperately fighting to secure full playing rights on the European Tour next season.

Just 15 months after winning a tournament in his rookie year he plays his last tournament of 2011, the Hong Kong Open, needing a top-eight finish to stand any chance of climbing into the top 115 and retaining his card.

The 25-year-old from Harrogate is currently 126th on the list having missed eight of the last 10 cuts.

McIlroy commits himself to next year’s Irish Open

Rory McIlroy has confirmed he will play in the Irish Open next summer rather than return to Congressional, scene of his US Open victory this year, for the PGA Tour’s AT&T National.

“There has been a lot of speculation on whether or not I will play the Irish Open next year, so I am happy to announce that I will definitely play the tournament,” the 22-year-old Northern Irishman said in a European Tour statement.

“For me the Irish Open has always been, and will continue to be, one of the most important events on the global golf calendar.

“It’s our national open and it’s obviously a title that I would love to win at some stage in my career.

“With Irish golf on such a high in recent years, it is important that we put on a good show not only for the home fans, but also for the global golf audience who will be watching the event on TV.

“A lot has been made of me joining the PGA Tour again next year, but in reality it’s not a drastic change to the schedule I have played in recent seasons.

“It just means that I will be adding a few more events to my schedule in America in 2012,” he said.

The Irish Open takes place on June 28-July 1.