Late entrants impress to make sure romance of the Open remains alive

Simon Dyson had planned to be on a beach in Spain with family and friends.

That they both not only played at gusty St George’s yesterday but turned heads with impressive rounds, says everything about the drama of the Open Championship and the romance it generates.

Eight years ago, Bjorn reached the 16th green on the final Sunday of the Open with a two-shot lead.

Two duffed bunker shots later and the Claret Jug had slipped from his grasp.

Vengeance was his yesterday with a birdie over the same 163 yards of par three that denied him a life-changing victory in 2003.

The beaming smile the great Dane greeted his birdie with betrayed his emotions.

He said afterwards that it crept onto his face because he knew the lucky bounce his errant tee shot was rewarded with meant it was ‘going to be his day’.

But it was a grin laced with revenge and an ironic nod to the golfing gods.

“That hole owes nobody anything and no hole in golf does,” said Bjorn, for whom the loss of his father two months ago adds perspective to golf.

“In 2003 I played fantastic all week. I tried to hit the right shot every single time and I didn’t hit the right shot on 16. That happens in golf.

“It was eight years ago. It’s in the past.”

His playing partner Dyson was more expansive.

“Thomas put it to rights today with that birdie,” said the 33-year-old from Malton, who opened with a 68.

“He had total control of the golf ball all day.

“He’s been there and done it. I’ve got massive respect for the guy.

“He didn’t mention 2003 and it’s not something I was going to talk about.

“I couldn’t exactly turn round and say ‘shame you couldn’t do that eight years ago’.

“He’d never speak to me again. I wouldn’t even say that to one of my best mates.”

Like Bjorn – who is here because Vijay Singh pulled out – Dyson was not supposed to be a competitor this week, let alone a contender.

On the reserve list after finishing third in a mini Order of Merit during June, Dyson was able to play with less pressure on his shoulders as he plotted his way around to post a two-under-par score, three adrift of early pace-setter Bjorn.

“It’s just nice to be in it,” said the Yorkshireman who is playing his eighth Open because American David Toms withdrew.

“I was supposed to be in Spain with my wife and brother and his girlfriend.

“I got on the first tee and the first thing my caddie said was ‘just enjoy it’. I felt really relaxed on the first tee this morning.

“Probably more so than I have done for the last few weeks and it showed in the way I played.

“It’s always nice to play in an Open.

“I played the Masters last year, and that’s something special, but it’s nothing like an Open.”

Experiencing the Open for the first time was Danny Willett.

The Sheffield vicar’s son teed off in light rain and gusting winds in the first group out.

A tough baptism for most, but the 23-year-old Rotherham Golf Club member with the booming drives and the tidy short game made light of the troubles of his more experienced playing partners with a very measured round of 69.

“Being from a religious background is nice, it helps me,” said Willett, who attends his father Steve’s church in Hackenthorpe when his hectic schedule permits.

“I know that at the end of the day it’s just a round of golf.

“Usually on a European Tour event I would get more annoyed when dropping shots because you’re used to shooting four or five under par.

“But here you know level par is going to be pretty good.

“So I was a little more relaxed. This tournament is about minimising mistakes.”

Willett was up before dawn for his 6.30am tee-time, but he showed no grogginess as he attacked the course from the first tee.

He won the English Amateur over these same links four years ago and in the same summer added the Yorkshire Amateur crown.

Now three years into his professional career, playing here and moving into contention yesterday – no matter the empty grandstands that greeted him towards the turn – represented the highlight.

“It was all I expected it to be,” said Willett.

“I’d not been nervous all week, but when you get on the tee and the starter announces your name and regardless of how much you play and how you try to manage the nerves you do get the butterflies and I was actually shaking a bit.

“But, fortunately, I hit it straight down the middle. It would have been nice to have a lie-in.

“But once you’re out there and the adrenalin is pumping it’s good to get going.”