Dougherty aims to fulfil mother's wish starting in Italy

By Norman Dabell

MILAN (Reuters) - Britain's Nick Dougherty has a special reason for trying to claim this week's Italian Open title following the death of his 61-year-old mother Ennis.

The Englishman is determined to fulfil her wish of making this year's Ryder Cup team and a win at Tolcinasco would enhance his ninth place on the European Ryder Cup combined table.

Last year Dougherty had the Italian tournament in his grasp when he was three shots clear with nine holes to play but his mistakes and a surge through the field by eventual winner Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano cost him victory.

The Spaniard clinched the title against Austrian Markus Brier in a playoff leaving Dougherty disappointed.

"My mum thought I was going to win in Italy and I really should have won it last year for her," said Dougherty, who attended his mother's funeral on Tuesday after she died in Florida several days ago following a heart attack.

"I'd love to be able to just grab it for me and my dad and my family but it isn't going to work like that. I don't know how I'm going to react. It could be (a round of) 67 or 87 tomorrow," Dougherty told reporters on Wednesday.

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