Fisher extends European Open lead
by Nick Royle, 05 July 2008
England’s Ross Fisher goes into the fourth and final day of the European Open at Ash in Kent with a three-shot lead over Graeme McDowell.
Fisher shot a 69, 16-under for the tournament, whilst McDowell hit a 71 to end the penultimate day three shots off the pace.
McDowell had started the better of the two, making birdies on the fifth, seventh and eighth to be out in 34 and move to 14-under-par overall.
Fisher was three behind at one point, after struggling with winds of 50 kms.
The big-hitting Englishman hit bogeys at the second and seventh before birdies at the eighth and ninth took him to the turn in 36 to move back to 13-under.
It was a different story for the pair on the back nine, however.
An eagle on 15 and a birdie on 18 gave Fisher a score of 69 for the day, whilst, though McDowell also eagled 15, he bogeyed 11, 16 and 18 to end the day on 71.
Fisher's birdie on the 18th was the first at the hole on the day, and he admitted that his aggressive attitude helped him.
"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," said Fisher.
"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."
South African David Frost is in third place on 10-under following a 69. His bogey at the last prevented his recording the only blemish free round of the day.
Joint fourth on eight under are Ireland's Paul McGinley, Dane Soren Hansen and Swede Michael Jonzon.
Sergio Garcia came home in 39 to tie for seventh, after a double bogey six on the 13th, having been distracted by a photographer on the tee.
Defending champion Colin Montgomerie bogeyed the last three holes to finish the day joint 10th, nine strokes back.
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