NICK Dougherty admits he's in the form of his life as he goes about creating a major upset in the US Open tomorrow.

In his third successive US Open outing, the former Shaw Hill golfer is not discounting himself from the list of potential winners after hitting a purple patch before heading to Pennsylvania's demanding Oakmont Country Club.

Dougherty booked his ticket to America after leading the way in the 36-hole sectional qualifying at Walton Heath.

But it has been the 25-year-old's superb form on the European Tour this year, co-inciding working with new Blackburn-based coach Damien Taylor, that has captured the headlines.

Despite failing to add to his one and only Tour title, the Singapore Masters in 2005, Dougherty has come agonisingly close and, during several tournaments, has topped the leaderboard on the final day only to fluff TURN TO PAGE 61 his lines in the last few holes.

But Dougherty, who is in the fourth group to tee off on Thursday, alongside American Ricky Barnes and amateur Trip Kuehne, is in confident mood.

"I'm obviously going there to try and win the US Open, but believing I can win it," revealed Dougherty, a former student at Blackburn's Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School.

"I'm going to try and do what I think is right.

"I've come close on a few occasions to winning this year, so there's a chance I can win the US Open.

"Obviously, it's going to be a very strong field. There are a lot of guys, like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickleson and Vijay Singh, who have been there and done it at Majors.

"But I don't think I will ever go into a Major playing better than I have done here."

Dougherty added: "Oakmont is very difficult. Tiger has said it's the hardest course he has seen.

"The course for the US Open is usually the hardest out there - it's a test of your mind and spirit and your all-round golf game. It always makes you think - it's the ultimate test."

Dougherty admits teaming up with Taylor, who has also coached European Tour player Lee Slattery, has helped turn around his form.

A disastrous 2006 season saw him miss 10 cuts on the spin and subsequently tumble out of top 100 world rankings.

But during the winter he hired Taylor, who has also worked with Ryder Cup star Darren Clarke, to compliment visits he made to the States to see long-time coach David Leadbetter.

And his new partnership - along with cutting down his schedule - has brought about a dramatic turn of results this year, including three top 10 finished in his last five Tour events.

"I'm not one for chopping and changing but Damien has been fabulous for me," said Dougherty.

"He offered his assistance to me when I was having tough times and I liked what he had to say.

"He's very enthusiastic which is something I need. I'm playing better now. I'm a bit more patient and better prepared.

"My mind is in good shape and I'm feeling really fresh at this stage of the year, which is the busy part. And now I can't wait to play in every tournament I'm involved in."

Dougherty, however, admits he must work on closing out tournament victories after coming so near, but yet so far in recent weeks and months.

The most notable spurned opportunity came at the Italian Open, where he squandered a three-stroke lead over the final few holes.

He added: "I'm disappointed that I have not won once, but I've been close on a few occasions.

"A lot of that is mental stuff and discipline. I've been pushing a bit too hard and I've been seeing the end before missing out on the most important bit.

"But I've worked on that and hopefully things will change. But I'm really confident with my game right now."