Emotional win secures Dougherty’s Open spot

ENGLAND’S Nick Dougherty, who this time last year had little desire to play golf, finally returned to winning ways in Munich yesterday – and with it earned a place in next month’s Open.

But what a scare the 27-year-old from Liverpool, so devastated by the sudden death of his mother straight after his US Masters debut 14 months ago, was given before he made the BMW International Open his third European Tour victory.

Four clear and seemingly coasting, the gap was suddenly cut to one when Argentina’s Rafa Echenique sank a 243-yard three-iron on the last for only the fourth albatross of the Tour season.