SIMON Dyson is almost certain to start next year on the European Challenge Tour, having failed to retain his European Tour Card at last week's qualifying school in Spain.

The Malton and Norton ace finished five shots short of the 17-under-par mark which was needed to put him in the top 35 and secure him another season among Europe's elite.

Unfortunately for the 25-year-old, his 12-under score on the Emporda and Golf Platja de Pals courses would have seen him qualify with a shot to spare last season.

A frustrated Dyson said: "I played great but I didn't hole a thing. Maybe I was trying too hard."

The former Walker Cup ace was then dealt another blow with the news that his application for a place on next year's main tour - based on the fact that a six-week layoff due to a hand injury significantly reduced his season's earnings - had been rejected. Dyson said he was appealing against the verdict but was not hopeful that a change of heart would be forthcoming.

Instead, he is gearing himself up for life on the Challenge Tour, which is mainly Europe-based, but last year, also involved trips as far afield as Guatemala, Mexico, Costa Rica and Zambia.

Dyson needs to finish in the top 15 to get back into the big time, but first he will fly to Hong Kong to take part in the Omega Open, which starts on December 4. He qualifies for the event, having won it in 2000 on his way to clinching the Asian Order of Merit. That success means Dyson is able to enter events on the Asian tour. He said he was likely to make the odd appearance on it, during the gaps on the Challenge Tour.

Meanwhile, Dyson has sold his house, near Old Trafford in Manchester, to move to Bollington, near Prestbury. He will be living next door to his best friend and European tour player, Jamie Donaldson.

Updated: 12:14 Wednesday, November 19, 2003