CHORLEY’S Nick Dougherty returned from a six-week absence from competition to post an encouraging first round score at the Madeira Islands Open yesterday.

The Shaw Hill professional, who is looking forward to the birth of his first child, is up against four ex-Ryder Cup players and six former champions on the Portug-uese island.

And the 29-year-old former Queen Elizabeth Grammar School student has made a solid start with a three-under-par 69.

He was flying at one point, five-under at 12, but bogies on the 13th and 16th holes blotted his copybook.

It is only Dougherty’s third European Tour event this season after competing in two second-tier Challenge Tour events, capped by a tie for fourth in the Colombia Classic in March.

He’s lost all playing rights on the European Tour, where he’s won three times, so he’s concentrating on the Challenge Tour.

“It’s been a long time since I can say I am looking forward to my golf as I just punished myself so hard trying to hold onto my main Euro-pean Tour card,” he said.

Dougherty married former TV presenter Di Stewart in 2010 and the couple expects their first child, a boy, in August.

“I can’t wait to become a father and Di and I are so much looking forward to the birth,” he said. “She’s here with me this week and that’s great.”