Nick Dougherty, now a prominent television analyst, recalls his finest moment in golf not as a victory but as playing alongside Tiger Woods during the third round of the 2007 US Open at Oakmont Country Club. The Englishman, then 34, described the experience as better than leading the tournament itself.
Dougherty shot a first-round 68 to lead the US Open, eventually finishing tied for seventh after a closing 15-foot putt on the 72nd hole. That performance earned him a debut at the Masters the following year. However, his second-round 77 was soon overshadowed by the chance to partner Woods.
“People ask about my best day in golf. It wasn’t any of the wins,” Dougherty said. “That was my best day in golf; playing with Tiger Woods, third round of the US Open. People win, someone wins every week, whereas playing with a bit of history … That was better than leading the US Open.”
Dougherty recalled Woods hitting 13 of 14 fairways and 17 of 18 greens in near-perfect conditions, though Woods only managed one under par due to missed putts. “He could have shot 64,” Dougherty added. “Tiger Woods is a superstar to me on the course. That’s why I don’t particularly like watching what has happened to his golf.”
Dougherty’s career later declined after the death of his mother, Ennis, in 2008. Despite winning the 2009 BMW International Open, he felt hollow and empty. His last top-10 finish came that year, and he struggled with “paralysis by analysis” despite support from figures like Nick Faldo and Darren Clarke.
