Fisher takes 3-stroke lead at The European Open
Englishman Ross Fisher tamed both the adverse weather and a formidable 18th hole at The London Golf Club to take a three-stroke lead into the final round of The European Open.
After battling all day with both Graeme McDowell and 25mph gusts over The Heritage Course, the 27 year old from Wentworth Club took full advantage of the Northern Irishman driving into the lake on the last.
The hole brought no fewer than 29 bogeys, five double bogeys and one triple bogey from the 70 players competing in the third round, but Fisher hit a superb drive and then an approach to eight feet.
The birdie that followed - the only one achieved on the 471 yard hole all day - gave him a 69 to add to his course record 63 on Thursday and Friday 68 for a 54 hole total of 200. His relief was obvious. He said: "It's a great finishing hole from a spectator's point of view, but a bit of a pain from a player's point of view.
"When I hit my drive I was just thinking 'please carry the water, carry the water' and you could probably see the huge relief.
"I think mine may have caused Graeme to take a more aggressive line."
He and McDowell were level when they both eagled the 548 yard 15th, but McDowell, two ahead after seven holes of the round, then bogeyed the 16th.
McDowell, himself three ahead of third place David Frost, commented: "We had a lot of fun out there, but obviously I'm disappointed with my finish.
"Ross kind of pull-hooked his drive and I proceeded to do the same. I'm not quite as long as him and didn't get away with it."
Eleventh on The Ryder Cup Points Table, he added: "I realise the outcomes of potential finishes tomorrow, but this is not the last chance saloon for me this weekend.
"There will be enough pressure on me without overly thinking about that."
South African Frost, at 48 years nine months is trying to become the oldest winner in the history of The European Tour, and is in third place on ten under following a 69.
Joint fourth on eight under are Ireland's Paul McGinley, Dane Søren Hansen and Swede Michael Jonzon.
Sergio Garcia, who looked the be the favourite for the title when he played the first six in one under par, came home in 39 to be in a tie for seventh on seven under par after shooting 74.
Defending champion Colin Montgomerie came to the last three holes nine under, but bogeyed them all to slide to joint tenth nine strokes back.
Open Champion Padraig Harrington, having made the cut with only a shot to spare, improved from 33rd to 14th with an eventful 69.
Out in 31 he bogeyed three of the next five, before taking a second eagle on the day on the 548 yard 15th. He then drove into the lake at the last for a closing bogey.
The Dubliner said: "The game is in far better shape than at any stage last year," he said. "This is a good fore-runner for The Open - as close to links golf as a parkland course is going to get."Return to Other Tours archives