Dougherty in test of nerve to land title

Oct 8 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL’S Nick Dougherty hailed his Alfred Dunhill win as a life-changing experience.

Dougherty claimed his second title on The European Tour International Schedule with a two-stroke victory in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.

The 25-year old carded a closing one under par 71 over the Old Course for an 18 under par total of 270 which put him two ahead of fellow Englishman Justin Rose.

Dougherty said: “Obviously I’m delighted to win but more especially in the manner that I did it. The start I had felt like a similar start to other tournaments where I had other chances to win.

“But you know, I spoke to my dad before I went out and I felt very nervous to be honest. It means so much, you know, to win, and as much as I really wanted for it not to mean that much to me, it’s difficult. You know, it’s my nature to care that much. I just felt it was in my hands.

“And it’s a life-changing win in that what it’s done. It’s changed the perspective of this year; it’s changed obviously where I am in the world, where I am with my own personal goals in my career and what I’ve done. It’s just so hard for me to go through the process without me jumping and wanting to get to the end too quickly.

“I’ve done fantastically well this year.

“It’s because of what I’ve done that I was in a position to be able to win this week. The way I dealt with the start today, I didn’t have those attributes, you know, 10 months ago, and I think I’ve learned from the errors.

“And thankfully the errors have been in events that haven’t been as important as this one, and so it’s nice for me to get it right in the right place.

“So, you know, it is a relief, though, you’re right. It’s feels like it’s been a long time since I’ve won Singapore, many opportunities not taken and many squandered. So it’s nice to be on the receiving end of a trophy again.”

Northern Ireland 18-year-old Rory McIlroy virtually guaranteed he would became the youngest Affiliate Member in the history of The European Tour player ever to earn a European Tour card by finishing third, a further stroke back, after a 68.

Dougherty had let two golden chances go begging this season for a second win – in Singapore in March and in Italy in May.

Starting three shots ahead of the field, it looked as though he might falter again when he bogeyed the first two holes but a run of three birdies from the fifth put him back on track.

Although he was caught and the tournament favourite Ernie Els was breathing down his neck coming home, Dougherty prevailed to pick up the €£392,368 first prize.

Rose admitted he was disappointed not to have put pressure on Dougherty in the closing stages but his second-place finish did allow him to substantially close the gap on Padraig Harrington at the top of the Order of Merit.