SIMON Dyson earned his highest ever winnings on the European Order of Merit last week in the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.

The Malton and Norton golfer took home just short of £44,000 after finishing joint fourth at the Crans-sur-Sierre course in the heart of the Swiss Alps.

He posted scores of 69, 70, 68 and 68 for a nine under par score of 275, five shots behind winner Swede Robert Karlsson. His performance took his season's earnings to over £200,000 and, more importantly, put him 55th in the Order of Merit - a position which, if maintained until the end of season, would see him qualify for the prestigious Volvo Masters at Valderama in November.

The 24-year-old admitted that missing several cuts in recent weeks had given him "a kick up the backside" and made him knuckle down. Dyson, who has been under par for his last ten rounds, said: "I hit some good shots into the green and was particularly pleased with my putting in the last round, when I made eight birdies."

He tees off at the Linde German Masters in Cologne on Thursday.

* Malton and Norton amateur Emma Duggleby takes part in the British Open Amateur Stroke Play championship at Hunstanton Golf Club, which begins today (Wednesday) and runs until Friday.

Updated: 11:03 Wednesday, September 11, 2002