Monday, May 26, 2008

Dougherty hits back at Peter Alliss
criticism of 'bad putting'

Nick Dougherty has criticised television commentator Peter Alliss for his remarks about the standard of play during the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
The 25-year-old from Liverpool, who as one of the early starters in the third round, found himself watching the BBC's coverage as the leaders battled with a swirling wind and bumpy greens.
"I thought it was very sad. In fact, I thought it was disgusting," said Dougherty of Alliss' criticism. "He was talking about us being bad putters. I don't know whether it's because he has been out of the game for so long, but I didn't think it was right and he ought to show us more respect."
He continued: "I wish we could take him out there and show him how difficult it was. In Match Play week (October) the greens are stunning, but the seeding at this time of year makes the putts wobble about."
During Sunday's broadcast Alliss, a former Ryder Cup player who in the 1953 match at Wentworth lost a vital singles, said: "We would be doing our viewers a disservice if we didn't attempt to tell them how it is.
"I have great admiration for those who can play and those who can adapt. I realise how difficult it is, perhaps more than most. I have played on courses like this and you have to change tack."
The state of the greens has been a hot topic of debate all week - even before the event with Ian Poulter saying he was playing in America rather than in the European Tour's flagship tournament because he had never been able to putt well at Wentworth.
A few years ago Retief Goosen threatened never to return because of the greens. He shot a 66 for seven under on Sunday, but then stated: "This is about as good as I can do around this place."

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