Grieving Nick takes time out

Nick Dougherty has put all playing plans on hold after the death of his mother Ennis earlier in the week.

Englishman put plans on hold after untimely death of mother

Nick Dougherty has put all playing plans on hold after the death of his mother Ennis earlier in the week. She died nine days after suffering a heart attack whilst in Florida with husband Roger. Nick was lying in tenth with a round to go in the Verizon Heritage tournament in South Carolina when he was told of her illness. He subsequently withdrew and rushed to be with her and was at her bedside with his father and brother, Marcus, when she passed away. Dougherty was watched by both his parents when he made his debut at The Masters earlier in the month and revealed what a major influence on his career his mother had been in a statement from his management company. "Ennis was a great influence on Nick and Marcus as they rose to the top of their respective professions in golf and the law," read the statement from International Management Group. "Having walked the fairways throughout Nick's amateur career, Ennis enjoyed one of her proudest moments when she watched Nick play his first US Masters." Dougherty added in the statement: "I spoke to my mum every day and was extremely close to her. She has been the very best mother and a huge influence on my career and life and I will miss her unbearably." Dougherty, who is eighth in the race for places in the Ryder Cup team, had been scheduled to play in next week's Italian Open, but now appears unlikely to feature.