NICK Dougherty put his ‘‘shocking’’ finish to the Wales Open behind him and moved into contention for the BMW International Open in Munich yesterday.
While South African Retief Goosen retained the lead by adding a 68 to his opening 64 – at 12 under par he is now one ahead of Dane Soren Kjeldsen – the 27-year-old from Liverpool grabbed two eagles in a 65 which lifted him from 23rd to joint third with Scot David Drysdale.
Graeme Storm, of Hartlepool, fired a second consecutive 70 to sit in 36th spot, but Barnard Castle’s Rob Dinwiddie missed the cut after a 76 left him six over.
If Dougherty maintains his form over the final two rounds there could be an unexpected bonus in store for him – a place in The Open at Turnberry.
Made aware that two exempt spots are on offer from a mini-Order of Merit in which he currently lies sixth, Dougherty said: ‘‘I’d love to play, but the best way is to stay in the now and I’m trying to win this.’’ Three weeks ago at Celtic Manor – the course on which he hopes to make his Ryder Cup debut next year – he shared the lead with a round to play, but then crashed all the way to 37th place with a 79.
The first of his eagles came on the 481-yard sixth when he hit the flag with a six-iron and stopped four feet away.
Then, only three holes later, he made a 35-footer for another.
Goosen went 33 holes without a bogey, but after dropping a stroke at the 441-yard seventh he closed with his 13th birdie of the week.
John Daly missed the cut on level par, while Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie only just made it through on three under after a 71 containing six birdies, but also five bogeys.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article