Golf story by sport.co.uk, Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:53:20 GMT



England's Nick Dougherty, returned to winning ways in the BMW International Open in Munich on Sunday - and with it earned a place in next month's Open. The 27-year-old from Liverpool at one timehad a four-stroke lead cut to one by Argentina's Rafa Echenique, but kept his composure to finish 22 under par on 64.Dougherty returned to golf after being devastated by the sudden death of his mother 14 months ago, immediately after his US Masters debut.


After his victory in Germany on Sunday he raised a hand to the skies and said: "The strength that my mum had lives on in me.


"I want to say thank you to all the people who have helped me through some tough times. I have a great team around me and it's great to be back where I feel I belong."


Long-time leader Retief Goosen finished third, but 51-year-old Bernhard Langer, hoping to become the oldest winner in Tour history, could only manage ninth.


The win earned Dougherty nearly £283,000 and he qualifies for Turnberry off a mini-Order of Merit which has been running since the Italian Open at the start of last month.