AMATEUR starlet Nick Dougherty crashed out of the Amateur Championship at Prestwick yesterday in the opening round of match-play at Prestwick.
The 19-year-old Shaw Hill player had led the qualifiers by three strokes after two qualifying rounds but came a cropper against 27-year-old Stuart Davis.
After a world class performace in the qualifiers, and the usual media adulation that went with it, level-headed Dougherty warned that match-play was a different entity and it turned out to an accurate prophecy.
Davis, from Kedelston Park in the Midlands,1 edged out Nick Faldo's young protege at the 20th hole after a well contested tussle.
Davis, making his 10th appearance in the championship, looked certain of victory having forged into a two-hole advantage with only three to play.
Dougherty showed his class however and conjured up eagles at both 16 and 18 to force the extra holes.
Despite watching a commanding lead disintegrate, Davis maintained his focus and an excellent eight-iron to within inches of the hole at the 20th produced a birdie and sealed victory.
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