Monday 12 October 2015 18:35, UK
Nick Dougherty think it is time for England's Matthew Fitzpatrick to win his first professional tournament at the British Masters supported by Sky Sports at Woburn.
21-year old Matthew Fitzpatrick shares the top of the leaderboard going in to the final round of the British Masters, where four shots separate the top 12 players.
While there are many big names in the tournament, Nick Dougherty thinks Fitzpatrick is ready to get his name on the trophy.
"It's not a surprise though, he's been there so many times already this year," he said. "He's had four top 3's which is joint best on the tour for the season so he's one step away from getting that first win and I really think it's about time it should happen for him."
Speaking to David Livingstone, Dougherty said that spectators now expect youngsters to do well in the sport and that we shouldn't take Fitzpatrick's achievement for granted.
"We have just got so completely used to having these great players at such a young age," he added. "If you think about what most kids are doing at 21 years of age it's not winning golf tournaments at the highest level.
"We've been spoilt with Jordan Speith obviously. Jason Day is still a young man as well up at the top of the game. But also in Britain Andy Sullivan, Danny Willet, Matthew Fitzpatrick."
A key to Fitzpatrick's potential win is advice he's been taking from fellow Englishman Luke Donald, Dougherty claims.
"Matthew really looks up to Luke Donald and has spent some time with him, picked his brains about a few things and well you couldn't have a better guy to advise you than Luke Donald," he explained.
"He's certainly showing him the ropes, but could be the guy to get in the way of that first win today."
Donald starts the day three behind leaders Fitzpatrick and Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who go in to the final round on 12 under par.
Host of the tournament Ian Poulter starts the day at five under par, while Lee Westwood is five shots off the pace at seven under.
"The great thing about the event is that all the top names have made their way to the top of the leaderboard," said Dougherty. "Ian Poulter is quite far back but you can't rule him out."
"The fact the youngest player in the field, a British player, is at the top of the leaderboard - that bodes well for the final round."
