Nick Dougherty boosted hopes of ending a three-year winless drought in being presented with a gleaming silver tray as his reward for leading his Pro-Am team to victory ahead of the Madeira Islands Open.

Nick Dougherty hoping his Madeira Islands Pro-Am success leads to tournament victory. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)

The Englishman was presented with his Pro-am reward, that also included a Euro 100 cheque, after signing for a three-under par 69 on the opening day of the event.

“It’s my first win for some time and it’s a great way to kick start the tournament,” he said.

“Though I have more Pr0-ams than I have won tournaments so it will be nice to convert the Pro-am win into more successes in the tournaments proper.”

On hand when Dougherty was handed his prize was pregnant wife, Di who will give birth to the couples first child in August.

Dougherty went into the second round trailing five strokes from the lead with his first round highlighted by an eagle three at the par five seventh hole where the three time Tour champion landed an uphill 7-iron shot from some 200 yards out to just seven inches.

“It was a good first day though I find this golf course is very fiddly and quite tough,” he said.

“I was five under par after 12 holes and looking to finish a bit better but 69 is a good start and I can build on that.”