General / Editor / 16 June 2007 / Leave a Comment

Nick Dougherty is convinced he can recover from his disappointing second round score off 77 at Oakmont and the Englishman still has his sights on the US Open title.

Dougherty was the overnight leader after finishing the first day on two-under but a disastrous seven-over par round on Friday saw him slip back in the field.

Angel Cabrera leads the tournament on level par and Dougherty believes he is still within striking distance of the Argentine and is refusing to be downbeat despite his poor round.

"I stuck in there well really. In the US Open, and especially that on Friday, once the shots are gone, they don't really come back and the next hole you have another challenge," Dougherty said.

"Right away after you've made a mistake you have another tough challenge. Seven over is a bad score, but it's kept me in the tournament. I'm relatively pleased to be honest."

Dougherty, who is trading at 150 to win the tournament, believes if he can get from tee to green without any problems he could have a chance as he is still putting well.

"If I can start playing well, if I can start hitting the shots how I want to, then I really believe, because I am putting well," he added. "It's just I struggled a little bit today."

Tiger Woods, who will be Dougherty's playing partner in the third round, is the 5.1 favourite to be crowned winner on Sunday.