Golf-Dougherty copies Tiger to share Scandinavian early lead

ARLANDASTAD, Sweden, Aug 17 (Reuters) Briton Nick Dougherty borrowed a strategy employed by Tiger Woods to recover from a poor start and share the halfway clubhouse lead in today's wind-affected Scandinavian Masters second round.

A one-under 69 took Dougherty to a three-under 137, sharing a one-shot lead with fellow-Briton Edward Rush.

The early lead hinged on the awkward short 18th hole, which Rush bogeyed for a 68. Earlier Dougherty had a birdie when playing it as his ninth hole.

Dougherty had to claw back from four-over-par after just four holes when the gusts were at their highest, salvaging his round with an eagle and four birdies and dropping only one more shot.

He told reporters ''staying patient and biding my time'' had been the key after watching Woods win the US PGA championship last Sunday.

''I didn't get flustered by my start,'' Dougherty said. ''In the past I've tended to push harder when I'm struggling.

''It's all about not compounding mistakes. Tiger does it perfectly. He just keeps going because he has good momentum and he is comfortable with what he is doing.

''I watched the (U.S. PGA Championship) coverage last week, even though I missed the cut. I've tried to apply that this week.'' This year Dougherty led the Singapore Masters and the Italian Open with just a few holes to go but let the titles slip from his grasp.

He has worked with a sports pyschologist to try to curb his impatience and is convinced his new approach will bring him an elusive second title.

Rush is something of a surprise contender, lying 164th on the European money list, with a best finish of equal sixth in January's Joburg Open.

Australian David Bransdon (67), Christain Cevaer of France (69) and Sweden's Joakim Backstrom (69) are tied for third place.

REUTERS BJR PM1900