BLACKBURN'S Nick Dougherty admits the US Open holds a special place in his heart as he bids for Major glory next week.

The 25-year-old former Shaw Hill golfer jets out to Pennsylvania tomorrow for his third consecutive US Open outing, hoping to capitalise on recent fine form that has seen him come agonisingly close to adding to his one and only European Tour title.

He booked his ticket to America after leading the way in the 36-hole sectional qualifying at Walton Heath, while other top names, including Ryder Cup stars Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley, failed to make it through.

Bristling with confidence of late, Dougherty admits he had faith that he would secure safe passage to Oakmont and is now eager to cause shockwaves at the tournament, which gets under way next Thursday.

"It's great to be involved in the US Open again," said Dougherty, a former student at Blackburn's Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School "It was the first Major I qualified for in 2005 and it's the only cut I've made in the five Majors I've played in as well, so it makes it even more special to be there again.

"I've never played in the Masters yet, but of all the tournaments I've played in, the US Open is my favourite.

"The tournament is always run so well and the courses are fabulous."

Dougherty has turned his form around following a disastrous 2006 in which he tumbled out of golf's top 100 world rankings.

Before his shared victory at Walton Heath, Dougherty clocked up four top 10 finishes from eight tournaments, including the Spanish Open, Italian Open and Celtic Manor Welsh Open.

However, during several of those tournaments, he has sat on top of the leaderboard on the final stretch, only to throw away his chance of victory.

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

But Dougherty admits he's never felt better after a big swing in form, which he believes has been a product of cutting down on a heavy tournament schedule and teaming up with new Blackburn-based coach Damien Taylor.

He added: "I'm pleased with the way I'm playing. I've made a really good start to the year.

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