Nick Dougherty has admitted that winning at the Italian Open this week would carry a special significance for him.
The Callaway golfer heads to Milan shortly after the funeral of his mother Ennis, who died from a heart attack in Florida recently.
Dougherty, who was nine holes away from victory at the Tolcinasco event last year but threw away a three-shot lead to eventual champion Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, told reporters this week that winning the tournament this time round would be a fitting tribute to his mother.
"My mum thought I was going to win in Italy and I really should have won it last year for her," the 25-year-old Englishman said.
"This week I have to find a way to not want to win it too much, just relax and play," he added.
Known as a protege of Nick Faldo, Dougherty described winning a place in his mentor''s Ryder Cup team this year as his "main ambition". He is currently 13th in the European standings but could improve his chances of featuring in Faldo''s plans with a good performance in Italy.
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