Fisher crowned king at The European Open

7/6/2008

Ross Fisher looked back on a “great week” after overcoming adverse weather and a world class field to win The European Open in emphatic style at The London Golf Club.

The 27 year old Englishman, who began the tournament with a course-record 63, completed a majestic seven stroke win by holing a bunker shot on the last.

That summed up the week, one that began with him qualifying for The Open Championship and contemplating pulling out of this event because of tiredness.

Sergio Garcia thought a closing 68 might give him a chance given the conditions. He then produced a 66 he called one of the top-five rounds of his career and “definitely the best putting round I’ve ever had”.

Yet, he would have had to shoot an unprecedented 59 just for a play-off.

Fisher, three ahead of closest challenger Graeme McDowell and nine clear of Garcia overnight, finished with a 68 for a 20 under par total - and with it moved from 21st in The Ryder Cup standings to 11th.

The win was Fisher’s second on The European Tour and having done it in such style against some of The European Tour's biggest names, the future can only look bright for the Englishman attached to Wentworth Club.

Northern Irishman McDowell took third place after a closing 73 and that put him in the tenth and last automatic spot in The Ryder Cup standings.

South African David Frost, at 48 trying to become the oldest winner in European Tour history, finished fourth and  that secured a place in The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in a fortnight.

Leaderboard – Final:

1.  Ross Fisher                    ENG  63 68 69 68 268 -20
2.  Sergio Garcia                  ESP  71 64 74 66 275 -13
3.  Greame McDowell            NIR  65 67 71 73 276 -12
4.  David Frost                     SAF  65 72 69 71 277 -11
5.  Soren Hansen                 DEN  69 67 72 73 281 - 7
6.  Peter Hanson                 SWE  68 71 71 72 282 - 6
     Robert Karlsson              SWE  74 66 73 69 282 - 6
8.  Marcus Brier                    AUT  71 71 71 70 283 - 5
     Stephen Gallacher           SCO  70 68 71 74 283 - 5
10. Sion E. Bebb                  WAL  74 67 71 72 284 - 4
     Jamie Donaldson            WAL  73 70 73 68 284 - 4
     Rory McIlroy                    NIR  67 71 72 74 284 - 4
     Jeev Milkha Singh            IND  68 72 69 75 284 - 4

Source: European Tour