Fisher gains three shot lead
Fisher's closing birdie was the only one of the day
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Saturday, 05, Jul 2008 08:00
A devastating final three holes gave England's Ross Fisher a three-shot lead going into the final round of the European Open at The London Club.
Fisher was locked together with Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell on 15-under-par after 15 holes when McDowell dropped a shot at 16 and drove into the water on the 18th. Fisher birdied the last to put himself in prime position going into the final day.
The 27-year-old from Essex handled the windy conditions magnificently and his birdie on the last was the only one of the afternoon among any of the competitors.
"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."
Fisher's 69 means he is the only man to have broken 70 in all three rounds. McDowell's poor finish meant he had to settle for a third-round 71.
McDowell leads South African veteran David Frost by three shots with a number of players two shots back on eight-under.
Defending champion Colin Montgomerie is 10 shots behind in joint 10th. The Scot bogeyed the last three holes and his frustration was such that he threw his ball in the dustbin when he finished his round.
Third Round Leaderboard
-16 R Fisher -13 G McDowell -10 D Frost (RSA) - 8 S Hansen (Den), P McGinley, M Jonzon (Swe).