MALMO, Sweden, 1 August 2003 — British youngster Nick Dougherty responded to new European Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer’s namecheck by elbowing his way on to the top of the Scandinavian Masters leaderboard yesterday.
The 21-year-old, last season’s European rookie of the year, carded a five-under-par 67 to tie for the lead with fellow Britons and former Ryder Cup players Andrew Coltart and David Gilford.
On Wednesday Dougherty was just one a string of youngsters Langer said he felt could make Europe’s team next year at Oakland Hills and the Englishman responded with a near-faultless display — showing he is fighting back from the glandular fever that has contributed to five missed cuts in the last six events. Dougherty, a member of Britain and Ireland’s successful 2001 Walker Cup team before turning professional, discovered he had the illness in May and tried to battle on, despite his doctor’s advice to stay at home and rest. However, he missed six cuts out of seven before finishing 66th in last week’s Irish Open. His six birdies before finding sand and dropping a shot at the 17th were a tribute to his determination — and to a remarkable 17-hour sleep the night before.
“They call me ‘the walking mattress’ and I really can sleep,” said the player who has been groomed by Nick Faldo.
“Getting glandular fever was bad news but I’ve also been hard on myself and today I backed off, added a player good enough to finish 36th on the European money list last year, with a second place in the Qatar Masters. Dougherty, who hopes to ensure his card with a good result this week and then think about taking a rest to aid his recovery, is determined to make Langer’s team for next year and added: “As badly as I’ve been doing lately to be 115th on the order of merit, I can still break into the top 20 and I believe I’ve got the game to do it (make the 2004 team).
The top trio led by a stroke from Dutchman Maarten Lafeber, New Zealand’s Stephen Scahill and Korean 19-year-old Kevin Na.
Last season’s Asian rookie of the year Na can seal his European Tour card this week, but only with a victory after failing to take out affiliation membership of the tour when he made his debut at the start of the season.
His earnings of $140,000 so far, do not count towards the card because he failed to affiliate at the BMW Asian Classic, the first event on the European Tour calendar.
Champion Webb Shares British Open First Round Lead
In Lytham St. Anne’s, England - Defending champion Karrie Webb of Australia shared the lead on five-under-par 67 with American Wendy Ward after a first round where the cream rose to the top in the women’s British Open yesterday. World number one Annika Sorenstam was in third place a shot behind the leaders while world number two Se Ri Pak of South Korea birdied three holes in a row from the 14th to join a group of seven on 69. For Webb, it was another sign that a relatively disappointing season is taking a turn for the better. The former world number one, who is aiming to win this title for a fourth time, finished fifth in the Evian Masters in France last week, and a round of five birdies and an eagle was the perfect start on a rather benign opening day.
