You are in > manchester.com  > News > Dougherty leads in Spain

Golf

Dougherty leads in Spain

27/04/2007

England's Nick Dougherty leads the field at the rain-affected Spanish Open after a six-under-par 66 in his first round.

The 24-year-old leads Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen, fellow Briton Stuart Little and Frenchman Gregory Bourdy, who all entered the clubhouse on five-under, despite a bogey at the 18th.

Dougherty was forced to go around alone at two stages on Thursday evening and Friday morning, after his playing partners Jose Manuel Lara of Spain and Sweden's Peter Hedblom dropped out.

But the Englishman, who will play with Simon Dyson in his second round, said this helped him to concentrate and keep a rhythm to his play that was not possible when he had playing partners to think about.

"I always do everything too quickly so playing on my own actually helped me," Dougherty said after his impress opening round.

"I even had to slow the way I walked and I had plenty of time to prepare fully on every shot."

Still in contention at the Centro Nacional de Golf are fellow Britons Graeme Storm (-4) and Bradley Dredge (-3), who have both been in good form this year.

© Adfero Ltd