Simon dyson with his new square-headed driver
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Simon Dyson, whose best-of-the day 67 sent him scurrying up the leaderboard into 11th place, in the South African Airways Open yesterday, has become the latest golfer to sign as a Nike staff player.
Son of a bookie and nephew of Spurs' double-winning footballer Terry Dyson, he joins a star-studded team which includes Tiger Woods, KJ Choi and Paul Casey and will play the Nike Sumo 5900 square-headed driver from 2008.
The 29-year-old from York will also represent the brand in clubs, ball, footwear, glove, bag, clothing, headwear and eyewear.
“Simon is a very welcome addition to the Nike Golf team and we have high hopes for his career and continued success on Tour. He is an outstanding athlete who has demonstrated consistency combined with impressive performances,” said Robin Murray, EMEA sports marketing manager for Nike Golf.
Adds Dyson: “Nike has made a huge impact so it was an easy decision to switch. The success that Nike players are having on Tour is exciting and I can't wait to add to their list of tournament wins.”
Dyson, who has contributed diaries to Golfmagic at Open championships, made his breakthrough winning the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2000 and in 2006 won the Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open, closely followed by another victory at the KLM Dutch Open. These results combined with several top ten finishes catapulted him to a career high of 21st on the European Tour Order of Merit in 2006.
Runner up in the English Amateur Championship he was also a member of the victorious Walker Cup team in 1999, when he claimed Finnish Amateur title.
Simon ended the 2007 season in 26th position on the European money list after eight top ten finishes, results which caught the eye of Nick Faldo earning him a place in the Seve Trophy GB&I winning team. He currently stands 66th in the official World Rankings.
*Ireland's Padraig Harrington has been named The 2007 European Tour Golfer of the Year, ahead of Justin Rose, following an outstanding season in which the highlight was his dramatic victory in The 136th Open Championship at Carnoustie.
