Golf Algarve Open de Portugal:  Nick Dougherty has taken Nick Faldo's advice and swapped partying for practising as he makes changes to his swing and lifestyle.

But it's not easy.

In exactly the same manner as Faldo did in the 1980s, Dougherty has enlisted the help of coach David Leadbetter to overhaul his swing in a bid to take his game to the next level.

And while the change in swing has been not as radical for "Little Nick" as it was for Faldo, the accompanying change in lifestyle certainly has been.

"Nick was worried, he heard rumours about how I was living my life and burning the candle at both ends," admitted Dougherty, who lists "socialising" among his interests in the European Tour media guide.

"He was spot on and I started to realise that last year, and because I was ill (with glandular fever) it made it easier for me not to go out as much.

"Nick said you have to knuckle down, it's not just going to happen, and he was spot on.

"I used to like the idea of being the kid who could go out, come back at 2 a.m. and then go straight out and shoot 66 and everyone would be impressed; not impressed by the 66, but the fact that I'd been out and still shot 66. But that's not why I play golf.

"Now I say to my girlfriend, 'It's worrying, I don't actually feel like going out'.

"Next week - I can't imagine this - but I'm going to go home and watch the Masters. I haven't watched the Masters for years. Normally I'd want to go home and go mad for the whole week off and then come out on tour and I'd be knackered again."

Instead Dougherty, at Penina this week for the Algarve Open de Portugal, has been wearing himself out on the range as he tries to implement the changes made by Leadbetter since the end of last year.

The 21-year-old finished 36th on the Order of Merit in 2002 and was named rookie of the year - exactly 25 years after his mentor Faldo won the same honour - but slipped back to 60th last season with just one top-10 finish.

"I started working with Leadbetter at the end of last year because I knew the technique I had wouldn't get me where I want to go," added Dougherty.

"I knew he would change quite a lot, but not as much as he has done, and it was a horrible feeling at first, I can't explain how horrendous it feels.

"I thought I'd be able to handle it but I couldn't, I thought I can't face turning up every week, doing everything right, changing my entire lifestyle, and not getting the results."

There are seven Irish players competing at Penina this week: Gary Murphy, Graeme McDowell, Philip Walton, Peter Lawrie, Paul McGinley and Damien McGrane.