Nick Dougherty is on his way back from a bout of glandular fever

Britain's Nick Dougherty elbowed his way on to the top of the Scandinavian Masters leaderboard, after carding a five-under-par 67 on Thursday.

The 21-year-old, last season's European rookie of the year, finished the day tied with fellow Britons and former Ryder Cup players Andrew Coltart and David Gilford.

Dougherty put together a near-faultless display to signal his comeback from the glandular fever that has contributed to five missed cuts in the last six events.

His six birdies before finding sand and dropping a shot at the 17th were a tribute to his determination - and to a remarkable 17-hour sleep the night before.

"They call me 'the walking mattress' and I really can sleep," said the player who has been groomed by Nick Faldo.

"Getting glandular fever was bad news but I've also been hard on myself and today I backed off, added a player good enough to finish 36th on the European money list last year, with a second place in the Qatar Masters.

"After playing so well in 2002 I made 14 cuts in a row at the start of the year and I was expecting a lot, putting pressure on myself."

Gilford birdied the last two holes late on to join Dougherty and Coltart, who had earlier led the way by virtue of a hot putter as he holed from 30ft and longer three times.

The top trio led by a stroke from Dutchman Maarten Lafeber, New Zealand's Stephen Scahill and Korean 19-year-old Kevin Na.

Bernhard Langer and last week's winner Michael Campbell both shot 70s.

Buick Open

Mike Sposa hit a seven-under-par 65 to snatch a one-shot lead after the first round of the Michigan event.

Carl Paulson, David Sutherland, New Zealand's Craig Perks and Paul Gow of Australia shared second place on 66.

Shaun Micheel, Australia's Stuart Appleby, Thomas Levet of France, Neal Lancaster, Kent Jones, Chris DiMarco, Garrett Willis, Heath Slocum, Hunter Mahan and Jason Buha were all a stroke further back on 67.

US Open winner Jim Furyk and British Open champion Ben Curtis led a group of 12 players on four-under 68 while world number one and defending champion Tiger Woods carded a 69.

Sposa, 34, teed off in the morning and was out in a one-under 35 at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club.

He then enjoyed a purple patch on the back nine, playing holes 10 to 14 in five-under with three birdies and an eagle.

The eagle came at the par-four 12th when he holed from 110 yards.