Nick Dougherty demonstration
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Local lad Nick Dougherty will be hoping to have the support of the home crowd this week when he tees off in The Open Championship on Thursday.
The Englishman was born and bred just up the road from Royal Birkdale and has the advantage of having played the links since he was a young lad.
“I pretty much know Birkdale like the back of my hand,” the 26-year-old told Today’s Golfer yesterday. “Whether that will give me any advantage, we’ll see, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
2007 was a fantastic year for Dougherty who broke into the Top 50 in the world and put in a couple of great performances in the Majors. But then family tragedy struck early this year when he lost his Mum suddenly to a heart attack.
“It would obviously mean the world for me to win this week,” the Liverpudlian insisted, “but I’m not putting too much pressure on myself. It’s been an emotional few months and I’ll need to be mentally strong but a victory here would be a great tribute to her.”
Today’s Golfer were treated to shot-making masterclass by Dougherty at a Callaway Golf demonstration yesterday evening at the nearby Formby Hall golf club.
Watch Dougherty rip it up at the range below…
* Picture by Getty Images
