Talking golf gives Nick all he needs
NICK DOUGHERTY was the local hero when The Open last visited Royal Birkdale.
Nine years on, he’s made the transition from course to commentary box with Sky Sports, alongside wife Di in their Open Zone.
Dougherty officially retired last October at the Dunhill Links at St Andrews, but had long stopped playing regularly on the Euro Tour.
A protégé of Sir Nick Faldo, he turned pro after a successful amateur career, recording three tournaments wins.
But in 2008, his world was turned upside down with the sudden death of his mother, Ennis. It was a huge blow which sent his golf into a tailspin he never truly recovered from.
He had finished in a tie for seventh at the 2007 US Open and won the Dunhill Links a few months later to climb inside the world’s top 50. But by the end of 2011, he’d lost his European Tour card following a miserable season in which he missed 31 of 34 cuts.
He dropped down to the Challenge Tour, but with his game still not where he wanted it, an opportunity with Sky opened up.
Still only 35, a return to Birkdale brings back fond memories for Nick. He grew up down the road in Bootle and used to be driven up every Saturday for lessons.
But when asked if he’d have fancied teeing it up against many of the players he grew up competing against, Dougherty is candidly honest.
“The Open is special and, maybe if I was playing like I used to, yes,” he says. “But that was not my story in the last few years.
“I don’t miss being a tour pro. I enjoy what I am doing now. It’s a lot of fun, a different vibe and it gives me more time for my family.
“When the camera goes off, I’m off and I was never like that with golf.
“I achieved all the things I wanted. I played in Opens and The Masters, and it was brilliant.
“But my life has gone in a different track now. Working with Sky gives me everything I need.”