Nick Dougherty has gotten off to a fine start in his bid to win the SAS Masters and claim a place in Europe’s Ryder Cup Team.
The Englishman, who is 15th in the standings with three events to play, holed a 142 yard shot for an eagle two on the 12th - he started on the back nine - and then added a birdie three at the 14th.
It leaves him three under par after ten holes, tied with Peter Fowler, who responded to a bogey at the third with five birdies. A bogey at the 13th has brought the Australian back to three under and a two-way tie for the lead.
Back on the Arlandastad course where he was a joint runner-up last year, Dougherty looked like dropping a stroke straightaway as he teed off in wind and rain.
But a putt from 30 feet saved him an opening par and his eagle came with a wedge - the hole was playing downwind - shortly afterwards.
Not that he knew it had gone in for several minutes - it was only discovered when playing partner Robert Karlsson peered into the cup.
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