Proud Dyson sets new target after missing out on Cup

The 32-year-old's bid to qualify for Colin Montgomerie's team to face the United States at Celtic Manor in early October went down to the wire at Gleneagles.

A 12th-place finish at the US PGA Championship followed by a top-five at the Czech Open meant the Malton professional, right, went into the final ranking event needing a win to stand a chance of qualifying via the European points list.

But after spending much of the four days in contention, his sixth-place finish did not prove enough as Edoardo Molinari produced a stunning finish to win the Johnnie Walker Championship and clinch Montgomerie's final wild card from under the noses of Paul Casey and Justin Rose.

"I gave it everything I had but it just wasn't going to be," Dyson said of his three-week transatlantic sprint to the Ryder Cup finish line. "With a little bit of luck I could have won the last two tournaments. I played nicely and kept myself in contention in both events.

"It's disappointing not to have made it, but I've done myself proud and I've given myself a couple of boosts back up the world rankings."

Dyson has edged back up to No 65 in the world, having failed to sustain the career-high 43rd position he reached last autumn following two wins.

His first title defence from that run comes in Holland next week, before which he hopes to continue his good run at the European Masters in Switzerland, on Thursday.

Dyson said: "Part of me would like a week off but with me playing my best golf of the year I will keep going and rest later.

"If I can win one of those that would really put the gloss on an encouraging few weeks and would shoot me back where I want to be – in the world's top 50."

His mindset will be intriguing over the coming events. His single-minded goal in recent weeks has been to qualify for the Ryder Cup and he has gone into tournaments thinking he must win to stand any chance of achieving that aim.

"It has definitely helped me," said a focussed and rejuvenated Dyson. "I've just gone for it and I've been playing very good golf.

"It's something I can take from this whole race. Going into each tournament backing myself to win will be an extra incentive."

Dyson finished the Ryder Cup race in 14th on the European points list which translates to seventh when the world points list qualifiers are considered.

He is second reserve behind Ross McGowan if any of the five qualifers from the European list – Ian Poulter, Ross Fisher, Francesco Molinari, Miguel Angel Jimenez or Peter Hanson – withdraw through injury, but says he will not be waiting by the phone.

Rose is the man on standby on the world points list if Lee Westwood does not overcome his calf injury, with Casey second.

Casey, who finished 12th behind winner Matt Kuchar at The Barclays in New Jersey, the opening event of the FedEx Cup play-off, said: "I'm not going to stand here and plead a case for why I should be on the (Ryder Cup) team. It's done and dusted. I tried my hardest and I didn't make it."