I must admit that I am surprised Simon finds himself in this position at this stage of the season.   I still believe he has a fantastic future in the game, but it shows just how competitive the European Tour is these days when a player of his ability finds himself needing two good weeks to prevent a trip to Tour School.
 
It must be something in the Yorkshire air this year because Ian Garbutt also finds himself facing a very tricky end to the season if he is not to avoid six classes at the dreaded end-of-term qualifying school. Players of their ability should be looking to continually improve their rankings, but the short, sharp shock to their systems may well spur them into a final fling that will avoid all embarrassments. Dyson's tied 14th finish behind local hero Maarten Lafeber will have improved his confidence because he showed the same consistency he would have expected of himself throughout the year.   Four sub-70 rounds will have given him a boost going into the crucial last couple of events.
 
What Lee Westwood has achieved in the last month will also have served as an incentive to all our players because his is a remarkable story.    The plaudits just keep rolling in for the wonder of Worksop - the latest seeing him named Asprey golfer of the month for September.  I am sure there will be plenty more to come.