Nick Dougherty

Nick Dougherty (born 24 May 1982) is an English professional golfer.Dougherty was born in Bootle, Merseyside, and attended Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School near Blackburn, Lancashire. He is a protégé of Nick Faldo and had an exceptional amateur career with numerous tournament wins including the 1999 World Boys Championship and three Faldo Junior Series events. In 2001 he was a member of the victorious Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team.Dougherty turned professional in 2001 and gained membership of the European Tour for 2002 via the final qualifying school. In his début season he finished 36th on the Order of Merit, and was named the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year. He was hindered by glandular fever in 2003, and his 2004 season was also disappointing as he slipped to 97th on the Order of Merit. In early 2005 he achieved his first win on the European Tour at the Caltex Masters in Singapore, going on to reach the top 100 of the Official World Golf Rankings in the middle of the year, and ended it in 15th place on the final European Tour Order of Merit. He made a positive start to the 2006 season before struggling later in the year.Dougherty bounced back in 2007, and was the leader after the first round of the 107th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club with a two under par round of 68. He finished the tournament in a tie for seventh place. It is his best finish to date in a major championship, and was enough to gain automatic entry into the following years championship and the U.S. Masters. Later that year he secured his second European Tour victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, and finished the season placed 11th on the Order of Merit.