'Little Nick' upstages big guns to grab two-shot lead

Thomas Bjorn and Colin Montgomerie may have little to say to each other. But they gave young Nick Dougherty plenty of encouragement in the third round at Laguna National yesterday. Then the Nick Faldo protege upstaged the two big guns with a three-birdie finish to grab a two-shot lead.

Bjorn and Montgomerie may not be so supportive today when the three go at it again for the US$166,000 first prize at the US$1 million tournament, co-sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours.

Dougherty, 22, admitted to nerves as he stood should-to-shoulder with Bjorn and Montgomerie in yesterday's third round, but his strong finish turned a two-shot deficit into a handy lead over the final three holes.

The Englishman, who started the day one shot clear of Montgomerie and three clear of Bjorn, finished with a four-under 68 for a three-round total of 203. Bjorn had seven birdies and an eagle in his 67, while Montgomerie posted a 69. Breathing down their necks were Sweden's Peter Hedblom (66) and Maarten Laferber (67) of the Netherlands, only a stroke back at 10 under.

'I was a bit shaky out there at the start,' Dougherty said. 'It is a lot of pressure because they are the guys I grew up watching on television and I admire both players tremendously.

'I have played with both of them before so I knew what was coming. Thomas is a great bloke. He was very supportive and said some nice things on the way round. Colin was also complimentary and courteous,' he added.