Golf: Doughery takes lead in Malaysia

Mar 7 2008

NICK Dougherty got his tactics spot on after a 10-under-par 62 gave him a two-stroke lead after the first round of the Maybank Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.

The Liverpudlian described the Kota Permai Golf and Country Club as a “thinking man’s course” yesterday and showed he had done his homework on the 6,979-yard Ross Watson-designed layout with 10 birdies in his first 13 holes, briefly raising hopes of the first 59 on the European Tour.

He had to settle for playing his remaining five holes in regulation, but even so the 25-year-old was more than happy with his performance.

“I found a way I think is efficient to play the golf course which obviously worked very well today,” said Dougherty.

“I know when I can let the driver out, when it’s time to do it and when to weigh up the risk-reward on the certain holes that I do it.

“There are times when I hit three wood and even rescue to get in the right spot so I can hit from a better position. Obviously the tactics worked extremely well today.”

Fellow Englishman Simon Dyson and Australia’s Marcus Fraser are tied for second place on eight under after 64s with Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen, Argentina’s Daniel Vancsik, South African Keith Horne and Danny Chia of Malaysia a further shot back.

Oliver Wilson and Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell were part of a large group on six under which included defending champion Sweden’s Peter Hedblom and New Zealander Mark Brown, February’s player of the month who is seeking a third straight win after back-to-back victories in India at the Asian Tour’s SAIL Open and the tri-sanctioned Johnnie Walker Classic in the last fortnight.

Dougherty took advantage of benign conditions early in the day to card his best competitive round as a professional.

Starting on the back nine, he had three consecutive birdies from the 11th, but bettered that run with seven in succession from the 16th, bringing that magical 59 into view – albeit from preferred lies.

However, the birdies dried up over his final five holes of his round.

“It was a great start to the tournament. It was my lowest round on tour and it sets me up well,” said Dougherty, whose maiden win came at the Singapore Masters in 2005.

“I drove the ball really well and putted really well and, while my iron play wasn’t up to scratch, the good thing was that my misses were all in the right places.

“It was nice to string some birdies together because that’s one thing I’ve been lacking. It’s superb to string seven together today and 10 in all and have no bogeys.”

Dougherty admitted he harboured thoughts of shooting a 59 after moving to 10 under for the day with five holes to play.

“I knew it was on after I made a long birdie on the fourth. Three birdies in the last five is not that tall an order, but unfortunately, it didn’t happen,” he said.

“I felt my chances on five and six weren’t too great, but I botched up the par-five seventh. Missing the green with a three iron into it was poor and, although I made a good pitch, I missed the putt for birdie.

“And I hit two great putts on the last two green and thought that I had made both of them.

“It was there to be done but it didn’t happen. Even so, I’m quite pleased with the score I got.”

Former US Open champion Michael Campbell withdrew from the tournament due to heat exhaustion after completing his opening round.

The New Zealander was in last place on 12-over after a disastrous 84.