CLUBHOUSE LEADERBOARD GB unless stated -9 Nick Dougherty -8 Colin Montgomerie -6 Thomas Bjorn (Den), Jamie Donaldson, Wen-Chong Liang (Kor), Danny Chia (Mal) -5 Soren Hansen (Den), Maarten Lafeber (Ned) Selected others -1 Lee Westwood +1 David Howell, Paul Lawrie

The Englishman had five birdies and an eagle in his final nine holes, but a bogey at the last cut his advantage.

Montgomerie shot 71 to finish on eight under, while Welshman Jamie Donaldson (68) and Dane Thomas Bjorn (66) are in a group of four two shots further back.

Lee Westwood is on one under and Ryder Cup team-mate David Howell one over.

Dougherty began the day three shots behind defending champion Montgomerie.

Having tackled the back nine first in 37, the 22-year-old from Liverpool had five birdies in six holes after the turn.

An 18-foot putt on the par-four sixth took him level with Montgomerie at eight under, and he then sent his second shot on the 616-yard par five to within a foot of the pin for an easy eagle putt.

I didn't get the pace of the greens at all Colin Montgomerie

"It was the best feeling I've ever had. I hit it great," he said.

A three-putt at the last cost Dougherty the chance to go two shots clear as he chases a first European Tour win.

Montgomerie had three birdies and two bogeys, missing further chances to pick up shots at the 16th and 18th.

"I didn't hit irons close enough, that was all, and I three-putted twice. I didn't get the pace of the greens at all," said the Scot.

Bjorn, whose 66 was the best round of the day, went out in 30 as he moved up from 10th to third.

Donaldson finished with two birdies in his last three holes for a 68 to go level with Bjorn, Korea's Wen-Chong Liang and Malaysia's Danny Chia.

Westwood's indifferent form in his first tournament of the year continued as he carded a one-over 73.