CHORLEY’S Nick Dougherty will be aiming to make the cut at the US PGA Championship for the first time when he starts this year’s event this afternoon.

The Shaw Hill professional received an invitation to the final major of the year at Hazeltine in Minnesota as a result of his position within the top 100 of the world rankings, but he will be hoping to improve on a record of missing the cut on each of his four previous appearances at the US PGA.

Dougherty, who tees off with American Bo van Pelt and Australian Nathan Green at 1.55pm today before a 7.05pm tee time tomorrow, posted rounds of 77 and 82 in last year’s tournament at Oakland Hills.

But the 27-year-old has been in good form recently and it was his victory at the BMW International in Germany that effectively earned him his place at the US PGA, lifting him back into the world’s top 100.

Dougherty, who currently stands at 70th in the world rankings as well as 17th in the European Tour Order of Merit, had looked set to miss out on all four of this year’s majors but also qualified for the Open Championship, finishing tied 38th at Turnberry last month.

He also earned a place in last week’s Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio, although he was disappointed that a final round of 75 left him in tied 51st after an encouranging performance earlier in the week.