Fisher lands prize catch

Garcia in sparkling form ahead of Birkdale

Last updated: 6th July 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fisher lands prize catch

Fisher: pillar-to-post win

European Open
Final leaderboard
GB&Ire unless stated
-20 R Fisher
-13 S Garcia (Spn)
-12 G McDowell
-11 D Frost (SA)
-7 S Hansen (Den)

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England's Ross Fisher cruised to a seven-shot victory in the European Open after a closing 68 at the London Club.

The 27-year-old from Essex led by three shots at the start of the day and coped admirably with the strong winds and driving rain on the Kent Downs.

He was never headed after carding a first-round 63 on Thursday and Sunday's round was more of a procession than a contest, completed by a holed bunker shot for a birdie at 18.

His closest challenger was Sergio Garcia, who shot a magnificent six-under-par 66 in his final competitive round before the Open Championship.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell - second overnight and playing alongside Fisher - had to settle for third place after a closing 73.

Fisher's only wobble came at the second, where he made a bogey five, but McDowell dropped three shots in his first three holes and never looked likely to mount a challenge.

Cushion

The cushion was even more comfortable when Fisher rolled in a 60-foot eagle putt at the par five fifth.

Garcia did manage to close the gap to five shots after going out in 32, but despite three more back-nine birdies that was as close as the Spaniard was to get.

Fisher was enjoying himself by now and three birdies in his last six holes completed an emphatic victory that earns him 506,000 Euros.

"It was just a great week," said Fisher, who had considered pulling out with fatigue before the tournament started. "I felt really calm all day, very composed, comfy with my game.

"I got my fair share of luck as well - at the last I was just thinking, 'Try and put it on the green'. I'm delighted."

Fisher is up to 11th in the Ryder Cup standings from 21st and added: "I'd love it, but it's still a long way off."

Consolation

Garcia's consolation is his form with the Open just two weeks away, while McDowell further boosted his hopes of a Ryder Cup debut.

Veteran South African David Frost - just 15 months away from the Seniors Tour - produced another admirably controlled display for a 71 and fourth place on his own.

That was worth 151,000 Euros but more importantly, it secured Frost a place at Royal Birkdale.

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