Majors, magic memories, but also mistakes, mark the golfing year 2005 for Lancashire's finest, Nick Dougherty.

But after signing off for six weeks at the UBS Hong Kong Open, where he finished with a four-over-par 284, claiming he is now a "total screwball", he is ready for six weeks away from the rigours of tournament golf, getting his 'tatty' swing back in shape.

That should set him up for his triple targets for 2006, a first Open Championship, climbing the rankings, and a place in the Ryder Cup team.

"It has been a really good year for me," he admitted with satisfaction. "I got my first win when I won the Caltex Masters in Singapore and I played well in general.

"But that's not to say I have not made a few mistakes. My swing is tatty, very tatty, and I probably shouldn't have played the last two tournaments, ending in Hong Kong. I am very tired after a long year and you have not got a chance when you are tired.

"At the moment I'm a total screwball. Every bogey feels like I have just lost the Masters and that is not my game.

"When I am playing well the key has been my attitude but at the back end of the season that has deteriorated week by week. I have lost touch with what I am doing and I need to relax.

"I have to learn the lessons from this year. You think you're doing it right, giving yourself more chances, but if you're well prepared to play, that is when you have more chance of success.

"I think I have played 35 or 36 times this year, including the Seve Trophy. I did that in my first year but this time I have been competing at the top of the leaderboard a lot more. That's what takes it out of you.

"If I had been better prepared for some tournaments, I might have done better. It's a balancing act but if you are not up for it you won't compete.

"I just want to go home now. That is nothing to do with the golf tournament, I am just too tired and I am glad it is over. I decide my schedule, along with my caddy, Stretch, and advice from my family, and I just ended up chasing it.

"I felt I needed to play to get in tournaments but from now on I have got to pick and choose a bit more.

"That said, what I need to do is take all of the good things, of which there are plenty, remember them and get ready for next year."

As he thinks about the highlights of a memorable season, Dougherty fondly recalls the Seve Trophy.

"It was an awesome experience," he enthused, "But I know that is only a quarter, maybe not even that, of what the Ryder Cup would be like.

"That is why the Ryder Cup has to be one of my main aims for next year, I would just love to be part of that team.

"I know I have got the potential, although there are a lot of areas I can improve on. I'm in the team as it stands at the moment and that was one reason for playing the last two events. Maybe the points I got will prove to be important."

Away from team games, he confessed: "I competed in two Majors and playing in the US Open was the best golfing experience of my life, it was quality.

"Now I am looking forward to my first Open, the bonus being it is near home at Royal Liverpool.

"There have been so many good things that I don't want to dwell on the last two weeks. But there is no harm done and, as I said, I have more points towards a Ryder Cup spot."

On arriving back in England today he was planning to have Christmas early with his girlfriend and then flying out to the States almost immediately to join his family in Orlando, Florida.

"There, I will get to work with David Leadbetter because I need to be ready for the first three tournaments of next year which are massive for me," he explained.

"I can do well in them there are chances for me to get entry to the Masters and the Tournament Players' Championship just before it.

"At the start of last year I came out with all guns blazing, I felt very comfortable and I plan to do the same again."

Nick Dougherty did more than enough throughout 2005 to suggest he has the ability to fulfil his undoubted potential.