Dougherty vows to stay loyal to European Tour

NICK DOUGHERTY yesterday vowed never to abandon the European Tour for the richer pastures across the Atlantic.

An increasing number of Europe’s rising stars are spending more time on the USPGA Tour, and doing so with considerable success.

Greg Owen was third behind Masters champions Phil Mickelson and Mike Weir at Pebble Beach in February; Ian Poulter reached the semi-finals of the Accenture Match Play the same month, and Graeme McDowell took second at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill event.