SHAW Hill secretary Lawrence Bateson has tipped home-grown star Nick Dougherty to become a Major winner before long.

Members of the Chorley club were celebrating when Dougherty - who as a youngster learned his trade at the Whittle-le-Woods course before turning professional - won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at the weekend.

It was the 25-year-old's first European Tour victory in two years and one which he has described as career-changing'.

Bateson now believes Dougherty can go on to be England's top golfer of his generation.

"I've known Nick since he was 11 and I've always said he would go on to great things," said Bateson.

"One of the beauties about him is that he's a very talented golfer and yet he's still a young man.

"He's only 25 years of age and I'm sure he's going to go on and win a Major."