Simon Dyson Q&A: Who would make up his dream fourball?

How did you first get into the game of golf?

It was my brother. He was at secondary school and his mates played golf. One day he came home and asked our dad if he could join the golf club and play with his mates. So my dad took him to the school field and said to him that if he could hit the ball alright he’d let him join.

As they both walked out the door my dad asked if I wanted to come. I decided to tag along and hit some balls myself.

Both of us could hit the ball alright so my dad signed us both up to the club. That’s when the love affair with golf began.

Best Achievement to date as a professional?

The one that has always stood out for me was playing the Masters. It was always a goal of mine as a young kid, just wanting to play in the Masters. I have won a few tournaments but to be in the top 50 and to receive the invite to the Masters was something special.

You’ve had your injury. What have you done in that time to keep yourself fit and occupied?

I kept myself quite busy to be honest. One of my good friends is Steve Diamond, a director of Sale Sharks. We were out having a beer after my operation and I was saying that I don’t know how I’m going to get back into the training. He asked me if I wanted to go down to Sale Sharks and train with the boys. So I’ve spent the last four-and-a-half months down there and its been absolutely brilliant, I’ve loved every moment of it. Just being in a team atmosphere, bit of banter, the music blaring – its been fab.

Also, just as something for myself, I got qualified for fitness level one in America. That’s set me up to do other things, such as level two and there’s a power level two I’m wanting to do as well. I learn so much more about my golf swing and what exercises I should be doing.

What is the best part of your game?

If you had asked me a year ago, I would have said my driving but at the minute it’s my short game because obviously when I was out injured and I was coming back to playing golf, the short game is all I could practise. I couldn’t handle full shots but I could get by chipping and putting so it has improved dramatically.

One thing you wished you knew when you started golf that you know now?

The one thing I wished I’d know that really comes to my mind is working as hard as I do now compared to when I got my first tour card back in 2001 because I kind of felt that it was a bit easy back then and you just played. I wish I was as dedicated as I am now off the course, working out in the gym and practising. If someone asked me for advice, I’d tell them to work as hard as they can.

Your dream fourball pairing?

My dream fourball would be Tiger Woods in his prime. I would have loved to have been close up to see just how good he was. Tom Cruise, there’s something about him that I find fascinating and he seems like a really nice guy.

My last pick would be Eva Mendes and you can make you own mind up as to why I chose her.

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