Nick Dougherty kept up his late attempt to qualify for Europe's Ryder Cup team when an exhilarating finish earned a share of the lead after the Scandinavian Masters second round on Friday. The 26-year-old Briton birdied three of the last four holes to card a four-under-par 66 and join Swede Peter Hanson on eight-under 132. Hanson also shot a second consecutive 66 after reeling off three birdies in the first six holes. Dougherty, 14th on the Ryder Cup table, needs to move into the top 10 to earn an automatic berth in the team to take on United States in Valhalla, Kentucky next month. The Englishman, however, said he would be unconcerned with Ryder Cup statistics at the weekend. Dougherty has struggled for form since his mother Ennis died in April. Dane Soren Kjeldsen, 15th in the Ryder Cup table, threw down the gauntlet to Dougherty with a morning 65. “I need to win at least once in the next three weeks,” said Kjeldsen after taking joint third place on 134. Kjeldsen has the added confidence of knowing his Cup challenge will end on Aug. 31 at Gleneagles where he won in 2003. Patrik Sjoland (66) joined Kjeldsen on 134 while fellow Swede Daniel Chopra was among four players on 135. Chopra has an outside chance of making the Ryder Cup team. Based on the US PGA Tour, he has to qualify from the world points list. Chopra now lies 12th, with the top five guaranteed a place in the side. “I play with them every week so none of the American guys would intimidate me,” said Chopra. A remarkable five-under 29 on his back nine gave amateur David Palm a 62 and allowed the Swede to narrowly make the cut on 141. Preferred lies prevented Palm breaking the course record though. US Ryder Cup wildcard aspirant D.J. Trahan missed the cut by two strokes on 143. – Reuters __
