The Open Championship, St Andrews, 15-18 July
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By Ged Scott BBC Sport at St Andrews

Dyson hopes to improve on his Open-best 34th place finish

York's Simon Dyson was happy with his decent start at St Andrews as he matched his best-ever score at an Open.

Dyson shot five birdies in his three-under 69 and the Manchester-based golfer believes it could have been even better if he had taken his chances.

"Both the bogeys I had were three putts and I missed birdie putts at 16, from 10 feet at 17 and six feet at 18," he told BBC Sport.

"If all three had dropped I'd be six under but I'm happy with three under."

Making his seventh Open appearance, three of which have come at the home of golf, but having missed the cut here in 2000, the 32-year-old is out to improve on his 34th place in 2005 - his best final position in this event.

"I love this course," he said. "I've played a lot here, first in the St Andrews links trophy as an amateur, then on trips with the lads and also in the Dunhill.

"I like courses where you can use your imagination and not just whack it as far as you can. And there's none better than this one."

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