Dougherty in good form as the European Open tees off

May 28 2009 by Our Correspondent, Maghull and Aintree Star

AS he prepared to tee off today in the first round of the European Open at The London Club in Ash, Kent, Liverpool-born golfer Nick Dougherty (pictured) could reflect with some satisfaction on a financially-successful fortnight.

Dougherty claimed his second big pay day in successive weeks to move up 10 more places in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai order of merit when he finished in a share of 13th place in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, a tournament won by England star and new world number three, Paul Casey.

Dougherty, who turned 27 on Sunday, earned 69,150 euros for his five-under-par finish of 283 to take his season’s earnings to 330,274 euros from 12 starts and lift him to 34th in the order, having been languishing down in 110th a fortnight ago.

Dougherty hit a 73 on the opening day, and followed this with 71 to lie 35th at halfway.

A third round score of 67 took him into a share of 10th place before he ended his four rounds with a 72.

Casey won the prestigious title by just one stroke from compatriot Ross Fisher.