Refreshed Dougherty has seen it all before
The young Englishman finds himself trailing the leaders, who are at seven under, just as he was last year when he went on to claim his first European Tour title.
A year ago, he trailed Colin Montgomerie; this time, it is local favourite Mardan Mamat - who was later joined at the top of the leaderboard by Australian Marcus Fraser - the only difference being Dougherty shot a 68 in 2005 rather than a 69.
Dougherty said: “I am in a similar position to last year. I am one shot worse than last time, and Monty was on seven under - this time it’s Mardan.
“It was a good score and a good start. I didn’t play well, so it’s encouraging that I managed to score when not playing that great.”
Dougherty arrived in Singapore on the back of a three-week break, which he claims has refreshed him. But it took him time to work the lay-off out of his system after he bogeyed his first hole, and the 23-year-old bemoaned dropping a second shot later in his round.
“My bogey on the sixth was disappointing,” he added.
“I hit my best tee shot all day and then a fantastic-looking wedge right down the flag, but it was a foot short and rolled all the way back. That was a bit of momentum change because Mardan birdied, I three-putted after two great shots - and all of a sudden I’m three behind.
“He putted fantastically well, and I think that is the key to this course - because if your iron play is good it comes down to a putting contest.”
Mamat’s familiarity with the Laguna National course helped him get off to a flyer. Not only did he win here at a Singapore event in January, but the 38-year-old was even given the chance to get accustomed to the greens before the event.
He said: “I won the tournament here, and it obviously gave me the confidence to play on this course. Laguna have been kind to the local pros - they allowed us to practise on this course before the tournament.
“It gave us some course knowledge. It’s probably my best score on this course. I’m very pleased with 65; if you shoot a 65 any time it’s always good and it will give me confidence. To birdie the three par-threes on this course is like making a hole in one.”
Fraser was delighted with his round - which saw him drop no shots, birdie five times and eagle once - and he hopes it presages an upturn in his fortunes beyond this tournament.
“I thought I played well last week at the Indonesia Open, hit some good shots and I thought I could carry that into this week,” he said.
“I haven’t led a tournament for a while, so it’s a foreign feeling. I’ve just got to try to get myself into contention going into Sunday, and we’ll see what happens.”
Best of the Irish is Gary Murphy, who shot a 69 while David Higgins is two shots worse off on 71 and Peter Lawrie on 72.
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