Nick Dougherty yesterday vowed never to abandon the European Tour for the richer pastures across the Atlantic.

An increasing number of Europe's rising stars are spending more time on the USPGA Tour and doing so with considerable success.

Mansfield's Greg Owen was third behind Masters champions Phil Mickelson and Mike Weir at Pebble Beach in February, Ian Poulter reached the semi-finals of the Accenture Match Play the same month and Graeme McDowell took second at Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill event.

Brian Davis and Darren Clarke were also third in the rain-shortened Nissan Open, Padraig Harrington won his first US Tour title at the Honda Classic and Luke Donald's second place in the Players Championship on Monday was his second runners-up finish this season.

Dougherty partnered Donald in Britain and Ireland's victorious Walker Cup side in 2001 and admits he will be looking on enviously when his team-mate tees it up in the US Masters next week.

But the popular Liverpudlian insists he will never forget his roots and forsake the European Tour entirely, preferring to become a worldwide player in the same style as Ernie Els or Retief Goosen.

Justin Rose has given up his tour membership to concentrate on rediscovering his form in America but Dougherty said: "I've discussed it with my family and I will never play exclusively in America.

"I know where my roots are. I've had a lot of support from the European Tour and feel a sense of loyalty to them. I will never 'do one' and disappear.

"With so many great players, you can understand why a lot of guys play over there and I will hopefully play more golf in the States but I will never give up my European Tour status."

Dougherty's superb early-season form, which saw him hold off Colin Montgomerie and Thomas Bjorn to win his first title in Singapore, sees him installed as one of the favourites for this week's Portuguese Open near Lisbon.

And the 22-year-old is as short as 7-2 to qualify for next year's Ryder Cup team, which will defend the trophy at the K Club in Dublin.

That is obviously one of the targets when the qualifying race begins in September, but Dougherty would also love to be a member of the team in 2008 when his long-time mentor, Nick Faldo, will be European captain.

"It would be great to play in the next Ryder Cup and I think it's very attainable," he added. "I need to keep improving, though; I don't think the golf I'm playing right now is good enough.

"I don't think I will be far away but I would be disappointed in a year-and-a-half from now if I'm still playing the same standard. If not that one, I want to play in Nick's team out in America. That would be awesome.

" Nick's delighted, he wanted that one in America. He will be a fantastic captain. He's got amazing qualities that people don't appreciate.

"His generation see him as someone who keeps away from the rest of them but my generation adore him still, he's an idol. I think there are going to be a lot of young players in that Ryder Cup and I don't know a young British player who doesn't look up to him.

"There is a lot more to him than people see and you are starting to see that side, now that golf's not do or die for him. He's coming out of shell a bit more and you see the real Nick Faldo."

A strong Midland contingent will be joining Dougherty in pursuit of the top prize at Oitavos. Atherstone's Paul Broadhurst and Steve Webster have been drawn to play the opening two rounds together, while also in the field are Droitwich's John Bickerton and David Park of Hereford.

Robert Rock from Tamworth and Tom Whitehouse from Birmingham are also in action.