Fisher angling for success

7/4/2008

England’s Ross Fisher holds a one stroke lead in The European Open with a world-class chasing pack gathered and ready to strike over the weekend at The London Golf Club.

Fisher added a four under par 68 to his opening course record 63 to lie on 13 under par, one clear of Northern Ireland’s Graham McDowell, who shot a 67 while Sergio Garcia surged through the field with a best of the day 64.

McDowell, two behind overnight, moved ahead with a morning 67, then Fisher, having played the Kent lay-out "blind" on Thursday, had four more birdies in his first ten holes, bogeyed the 14th and 16th, but then closed with another birdie.

Garcia, who paired with McDowell had a better-ball 60, finished eagle-birdie to move into the frame. The Spaniard loves his golf, but he loves his tennis too and it was a great day for him on both fronts.

First he burst into contention with his eight under par 64, his lowest round of the year.

Dane Soren Hansen made steady progress with a five under par 67 to move to eight under par while Colin Montgomerie and Ian Poulter, having matched each other with opening 70s, both improved three shots on that to be seven under, the same as Paul McGinley, for whom a top five finish on Sunday could secure him an Open spot. David Frost and Michael Jonzon also finished on seven under par at the halfway stage.

Open Champion Padraig Harrington had a 70, and at two under like Justin Rose have to shoot exceptionally low over the weekend.

Leaderboard – Roud 2:

1.  Ross Fisher                 ENG  63 68 131 -13
2.  Greame McDowell         NIR  65 67 132 -12
3.  Sergio Garcia               ESP  71 64 135 - 9
4.  Soren Hansen              DEN  69 67 136 - 8
5.  David Frost                  SAF  65 72 137 - 7
     Michael Jonzon           SWE  69 68 137 - 7
     Paul McGinley              IRL  69 68 137 - 7
     Colin Montgomerie      SCO  70 67 137 - 7
     Ian Poulter                 ENG  70 67 137 - 7
10. Stephen Gallacher      SCO  70 68 138 - 6
     James Kingston           SAF  69 69 138 - 6
     Rory McIlroy                NIR  67 71 138 - 6

Source: European Tour