Dougherty looking to be a rookie with a difference

Inside, there was the usual 72-page broadsheet pull-out that, should you choose to digest every sentence, would probably take you until the second Sunday in April to finish.

Little differences, though, is a pretty good way to sum up a lot of what is going on in the build-up to the year's first major championship.

Tiger Woods seeks such things to convert near misses these past two years into a fifth green jacket; Justin Rose and Padraig Harrington are looking for little differences to realise the European dream of a first Masters success since Jose Maria Olazabal in 1999.

Then there is Scouse rookie Nick Dougherty, who spent a couple of hours with three-time Masters champion Nick Faldo last week in a bid to find the little differences and avoid the frequent first-timer's fate of driving back down Magnolia Lane on Friday night, filled with regret. Dougherty said: "We had dinner in Augusta and you won't be surprised to hear much of Nick's advice had to do with my preparation."

What's the longest time you can imagine playing a golf course using just one ball? Dougherty spent eight hours following Faldo's advice, discovering the subtle, treacherous nuances that define every green.

"I let through six groups of members' fourballs," Dougherty said with a laugh. "But I was determined to discover every nook and cranny, and at least now I can say I've got rid of the "wow" factor that usually stops rookies doing well."

Luke Donald and Paul Casey are two Englishmen who exceeded expectations on their baptism, finishing third and sixth respectively, and Dougherty sees no reason why he shouldn't follow in their footsteps. "We all know that Fuzzy Zoeller is the only first-timer to win the Masters (in 1979), and clearly his laid-back approach was important," he said. "So this week I'm going to try to remain the loosest goose in the west."

It wasn't like that, mind, when he drove through the gates for the first time.

"I couldn't believe I was so nervous simply walking into a clubhouse,' he said. 'I sat down among the green jackets and a waiter came over and asked if I would like some breakfast. I squeaked something like: "Yes, please". Then he came over 10 minutes later and asked would I like to place an order. When I said I hadn't seen a menu, he replied: "Sir, this is Augusta National. You can order whatever you like"."

Dougherty turned down members' invitations to play Augusta over the years because he wanted to wait until he had earned the right. A top eight finish in last year's U.S. Open took care of that, and now he intends to make the most of it.

"It is the only course I dreamed of playing as a kid that not only lived up to all expectations, but surpassed them," he said enthusiastically.

■ ENGLAND'S David Howell shot his lowest round for more than two years with a closing 64 in the Portuguese Open but lost a play-off to France's Gregory Bourdy at the third extra hole at Cascais. England's Trish Johnson and Rebecca Hudson won the inaugural VCI European Ladies Golf Cup at La Sella near Alicante by five strokes.