Chorley's Nick Dougherty makes flying start on second day

9:08am Friday 9th May 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Chorley golfer Nick Dougherty's burning desire to make the Ryder Cup team in honour of his late mother brought him a hat-trick of birdies the moment he resumed the Italian Open in Milan today.

The 25-year-old from Liverpool could easily have pulled out of the event after attending her funeral on Tuesday - she died of a heart attack on April 27 - but knew that her wish was for him to do all he could to be part of Nick Faldo's side in September.

On a day of low scoring an opening one under par 71 had left him outside the top 65 who survive the halfway cut tonight, but Dougherty improved to joint 28th place with his fast start.

"I felt a bit emotional on the first tee and it was tough," he said last night. "It's just a weird feeling. I felt a bit cloudy all day.

"I've got to get on with it, though, because she will get in a huff."