CHORLEY golfer Nick Dougherty has given himself a good chance of making the cut at the Open Championship after recovering from a poor start in yesterday’s first round at Turnberry.

The Shaw Hill Golf Club professional had found himself on two over par in Scotland after bogeys on two of the first six holes.

But birdies on both the 16th and the 17th saw him end the opening day on a level par 70.

Dougherty said: “I’m happy with that score. But I also know I can shoot better. I'm pleased with that, especially with the two birdies.

“I hit three wood and seven iron at 16, then holed a putt of about 40 feet, then I hit a good tee shot on the long 17th, hit my rescue to 30 feet and two-putted.

"But probably my best shot of the day was when I dropped only one shot at the sixth.”