Dougherty drops off the pace

Englishman Nick Dougherty’s hopes of consolidating his overnight lead on the third day of the New Zealand Open suffered an early blow.

The 24-year-old started comfortably with a par on another wind-swept day at the Gulf Harbour Country Club in Auckland.

However, a triple-bogey eight on the 524-yard second was followed by another dropped shot at the next.

It meant the tournament front-runner slid down the leaderboard into a tie for 10th after four holes.

Overnight co-leader Wade Ormsby, who yesterday after carding an eight-under 63, maintained his composure to lead by one at the same stage.

Australians Kim Felton and Scott Strange and former winner Michael Campbell were locked in a tie for second place on six under.

After starting the day two under Felton made the most impact, being four under for the day through 13 holes.

Strange is well-placed on the same score after an early birdie, while 2005 US Open champion Campbell was level par for his first six holes.

Earlier England‘s Graeme Storm launched an assault on the leaderboard in the best conditions of the day.

Teeing off in sunny, calm weather, Storm, who started the day one-over, got away to a flying start with an eagle three on the second hole.

He then birdied three successive holes from the fifth to move to four under and carded another birdie at the 11th.

The Hartlepool golfer admitted the favourable early conditions had made life easier for him out on the course.

“I was out early so I was able to capitalise on the weather,” he said.

“I’m very happy to be in with six under for the day and five under for the tournament.”

Australians Peter O’Malley and Brett Rumford also hit form on the third day.

O’Malley cast aside several disappointing rounds to roar into contention with six birdies in a near-flawless five-under round of 66.

Safely in the clubhouse at four under for the tournament the New South Welshman admitted he would need to improve to have any chance of winning the trophy.

“I have got to make my move over the weekend,” said O’Malley.

“I figured if I could get to 10-under or 11-under in the weekend I would be in a good chance so I have to pick up a few more tomorrow.”