Dyson birdies way to new record

Simon Dyson showed the form that made him one of England's top amateurs last year by firing a course-record seven-under-par 64 on the opening day of the Macau Open yesterday.

The Yorkshireman, who played for the victorious Great Britain and Ireland team in last year's Walker Cup, shot seven birdies over the tight lay-out at the Macau Golf and Country Club to take a two-stroke lead.

Dyson put the finishing touch to his day with an aggressive 25-foot birdie putt at the 18th. Describing his parting shot, he said: "It was travelling. I wanted to finish on a high so I went for it and luckily I got the line right - otherwise it would have gone a long way past."

The 22-year-old turned professional at the end of last year and finished second at this year's tour qualifying School in Malaysia.