MALTON and Norton golfer Simon Dyson had one of his best pay-days of the season last week - after playing three of the four rounds in the Dunhill Links championship with borrowed clubs.

Dyson woke on the morning of the second day of the tournament, held on the Scottish courses, St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kings Barns, to find the back window of his newly-bought Audi TT car smashed and his clubs stolen. But the 24-year-old recovered from the setback to finish a superb joint 26th, earning him the grand sum of £28,000.

Among the stolen clubs was a unique handmade Ping putter - only Lee Westwood has another of its kind - the theft of which left him "speechless".

Having borrowed a set of irons from former Walker Cup team-mate Nick Dougherty, who hails from nearby Nairn, a three-wood from the tournament office and a putter from fellow professional Bradley Dredge, Dyson admitted his only aim on walking to the first tee in the second round was to make the cut.

But, having carded a one-under par opening 71 at St Andrews, Dyson proceeded to shoot his best round of the tournament - a four-under par 68 at Carnoustie - with his patched-up set of clubs.

"I just couldn't believe what had happened for the first six holes. But then I hit a great shot at seven and an even better one at eight and I started to think 'I can do okay with these clubs'," he said.

The former Asian tour winner made birdies at both holes and added further ones at the 10th, 12th and 14th before bogeying the 17th.

Dyson, who teamed up with amateur Helen Webb in the pro-am competition running alongside the main event, followed up with a three under par 69 at Kings Barns.

He then partnered Ryder Cup hero Colin Montgomerie in the final round, making a level par 72 to finish eight under for the tournament, whilst the Scot equalled the course record with a 63, including a bogey at the last hole.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington took home the first prize of £514,535, beating Argentine Eduardo Romero at the second hole of a sudden death play-off.

Dyson's 26th place left such stars as Nick Faldo, Retief Goosen and Ryder Cup aces Darren Clarke and Niclas Fasth in his wake. But more significantly, his finish ensured he stays in contention for a top 55 place Volvo Order of Merit rankings, which will then guarantee him a spot in the prestigious end of season Volvo Masters in Valderama in November.

With just several tournaments now left, he is currently 61st, with earnings this year now amounting to just over £230,000.

Thankfully, Dyson has been sent a new set of clubs by his sponsor Ping for the start of the Lancome Trophy in Paris tomorrow.

Updated: 09:34 Wednesday, October 09, 2002