That was eventually overtaken by Germany’s Martin Kaymer, who added a 68 to his opening 67 to finish five under, with South African James Kingston a shot back on four-under.

Starting at the 10th, Dougherty opened with a bogey and then ran up a double bogey six on the 12th after hitting his approach into the water surrounding the green.

Another bogey followed on the next but the former Walker Cup star kept his cool thanks to working with a sports psychologist at the USPGA Championship last week.

“It was a real bonus that I played poorly because he (Tony Brigstock) could see my mannerisms and my game plan and there were things that really stuck out,” Dougherty added.

“There are key moments throughout a round of golf even though there might not appear to be.

Today was a good example, I didn’t get flustered by my bad start where in the past I tended to push harder when I’m struggling.

“Tiger does it perfectly. I watched the TV coverage last week after I missed the cut and on the 12th hole in the third round Tiger hits an iron down the middle and a great shot to 10 feet.

“Scott Verplank (his playing partner) hits a driver, ends up in the rough and trees and makes a double bogey, and then follows that with more bogeys, whereas Tiger just keeps going because he has good momentum and he is comfortable with what he is doing.

“That is significant and I’ve tried to apply it this week. It has paid dividends and if I’d had the mindset I have now, I’d have won in Singapore in March.”

In the lead with three to play at Laguna National, Dougherty double-bogeyed the 16th and 17th and also blew a three-shot lead with nine to play in the Italian Open two months later.

“It would have been a big difference in the events I’ve had a chance in this year if I’d been able to play them with the mindset I have now, but there’s no point dwelling on it because I’m in that mindset now and I’m very pleased to be so.”

A five-wood approach to 20ft from a fairway bunker to set up an eagle on the 15th kick-started Dougherty’s recovery and he also picked up birdies at the 18th, fourth, fifth and ninth.

Kaymer won twice on the Challenge Tour last year and was joint leader after the third round of the Wales Open this season only to fade to 14th with a closing 70, one over-par.

“I was playing with the local hero, Bradley Dredge, and it was a great experience to play in the last group on Sunday with all the spectators but I think you need to get used to that,” said 22-year-old Kaymer, who still lives with his parents in Dusseldorf.

“I’ve only had that one time but I am pretty young and I think I can learn. My hero is Ernie Els and I played with him in Munich this year, and although I missed the cut I learnt a lot from him.

“The whole way round it didn’t matter if he made birdie, eagle or bogey, he was pretty relaxed. That was very impressive.”