Nick in the swing with top 10 spot

Jan 29 2008 by Richard Williamson, Liverpool Daily Post

NICK DOUGHERTY came back strongly in the European Tour’s swing through the Middle East to record his first top 10 finish of the 2008 schedule.

The Liverpool-born player, 50th at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship the previous week, finished in seventh at the Commercialbank Qatar Masters.

Rounds of 72,67,70,69 saw him finish on 10-under-par 278 at Doha Golf Club, where Adam Scott’s course record 61 on the final day saw the Australian finish on 20 under par for a three-shot victory.

Dougherty picked up 37,915 euros to improve his position on the European Order of Merit to 26th from his first three appearances this season. He also remains in one of the qualifying places for Europe’s Ryder Cup team.

On a day when the birdies were flowing, Phillip Archer could only return a level-par 72 which saw him slip down the leaderboard after going into the final day in 17th.

The Warrington golfer finished in a share of 33rd at six under par after returning 71,70,69,72.

After twice missing the cut in South Africa, the Birchwood-attached player is back on track after finishing 30th in Abu Dhabi the previous week. He is now up to 113th in the rankings with 23,592 euros.

Southport’s Lee Slattery missed the halfway cut for the second successive event after shooting 75,74, but his second place at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa means he is still 27th overall in the rankings with 94,300.

Bromborough’s Paul Waring has not played the last two events, but is still 99th in the rankings.