Dough out to cash in

By GRAHAM OTWAY, Sunday Mirror 7/10/2007

Nick Dougherty (pic:Getty)

GOLF: LIVE ACTION PLUS RYDER CUP COUNTDOWN

NICK DOUGHERTY has never had a love affair with 'The Old Lady' - his name for the Old Course at St Andrews.

Yesterday, however, he produced a 66 at the 'home of golf to build a three-shot lead to take into the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

The 25-year-old hopes he can turn another corner at St Andrews today and pick up a second win to follow his 2005 Singapore Masters victory.

He has led at one stage or another in eight tournaments this year without finishing off the job. Overnight co-leader Peter O'Malley is second.

Last night, at 17 under par, Dougherty said: "I have tossed a couple of tournaments away this year and each time it has felt like a kick in the pants.

"This is a big chance for me to prove I can win from the front."

Also waiting in the wings are Justin Rose and Padraig Harrington in a share for third on 13 under. Harrington is not going to give up his European No.1 title without a fight. The Open champion carded a fine 67 yesterday.

And 18-year-old Ulsterman Rory Mcllroy could yet pull off a victory in his second professional tournament.

He covered the first nine holes at Kingsbarns in just 30 shots and his 67 left him six shots off the lead.