Dyson battles through illness to make his initial start in Avantha Masters

NEW DELHI, India – Not even a stomach virus is going to prevent Simon Dyson from taking part in this week's Avantha Masters.

Dyson didn't, in fact, contract "Delhi belly" in India – he already had the virus when he made the decision to travel to India anyway.

Dyson hasn't competed in India since finishing in a tie for 34th at the 2008 Johnnie Walker Classic, and has never taken part in the Avantha Masters.

The DLF G&CC hosted the Johnnie Walker Classic back then, and has hosted the Avantha Masters before, but this year the stunning Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort in Greater Noida, near New Delhi, will welcome Dyson and his fellow European Tour pros.

The Englishman will have to spend all his time ahead of Thursday's start resting and recovering, so he won't get much of a look at the course before he tees off. He's hoping the phrase "beware the injured golfer" proves prophetic this week, as he chases his seventh European Tour title.

"I've had the virus for a few days now," he said. "My wife had it and then my little girl had it too, so I must've picked it up from them.

"I felt really bad all day Saturday then flew out here on Sunday, and I actually felt alright on the flight," he explained. "But then I started feeling horrendous again yesterday, so we're back to square one a little bit.

"I had to force myself to get out of bed this morning. I'm probably only going to do a bit of putting practice today then take all day tomorrow off, which means I'll have to withdraw from the pro-am," he added. "But hopefully I will have shaken it off by the time the tournament comes round, and I'll be okay to tee up on Thursday."