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Dougherty finding form just in time

Ryder Cup hopeful Nick Dougherty produced a sparkling finish to regain a share of the lead at the SAS Masters in Stockholm today…

Fri Aug 15 2008 - 01:00

Ryder Cup hopeful Nick Dougherty produced a sparkling finish to regain a share of the lead at the SAS Masters in Stockholm today.

The 26-year-old from Liverpool birdied three of the last four holes for a second successive 66 at Arlandastad and goes into the weekend alongside Swede Peter Hanson on eight under par.

Dougherty, leader of the Ryder Cup points table last October, has fallen to 15th since the death of his mother in April. He has been determined to play with a smile on his face once more this week, however, and so far it is working wonders.

"That's how I play and it's nice to be doing it again," he said. "The Ryder Cup would be lovely and I would be an idiot if I said it does not matter, but more important is enjoying my golf again.

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"I've had my reasons to feel a bit down, but considering how I've played the last few months I've a lot to smile about this week."

There are two more counting tournaments to follow and Dougherty would be just outside an automatic top-10 spot if he were to triumph on Sunday.

Hanson also repeated his opening 66, grabbing birdies at three of the first six holes and adding another on the 15th.

They are two ahead of Dane Soren Kjeldsen and Swede Patrik Sjoland, with former Ryder Cup pair Paul Broadhurst and Peter Baker, Scot Gary Orr and another Swede, US Tour-based Daniel Chopra, one further back.

Bristol 20-year-old Chris Wood, making his professional debut four weeks after his stunning fifth place finish in The Open, is shining again, joint 12th on three under.

Irish interests are led by Paul McGinley and Gary Murphy on one under, that latter having shot a 67.  Damien McGrane is level par after a 69.

Rory McIlroy and Peter Lawrie will not be around for the weekend, however, after finishing their second rounds on two over and eight over, respectively.

American DJ Trahan, a contender for a wild card from American captain Paul Azinger, also missed the cut on three over just like his compatriot Dudley Hart and will hope to be much more impressive when the FedEx Cup play-off series begins in New Jersey next week.