Golf-Scintillating 61 puts Fisher in charge in Ireland (Reuters)
July 30, 2010
* Fisher breaks course record to grab lead
* Englishman eager to secure Ryder Cup berth
*
By Norman Dabell
Ireland, July 30 (Reuters) – Britain’s Ross Fisher improvedhis chances of securing a debut Ryder Cup spot when he grabbedcontrol of the Irish Open on Friday with a scintillating secondround 10-under-par 61.
The 29-year-old broke the Killarney club course record bythree shots as he surged to 12-under 130, three strokes clear ofthe field.
Last year’s World Matchplay champion also threatened torecord the first 59 on the European Tour as he ran up sixsuccessive birdies from the third hole and four in a row fromthe 11th.
He fell short of the magic mark, however, after missingchances over the closing holes.
“It was pretty flawless golf,” the Englishman toldreporters. “After a solid start I caught fire.
“It was a shame the run had to end on the ninth but then Igot into another great patch. I gave myself four good looks atbirdies at the last four holes but didn’t make them and had tobe satisfied with a 61.”
Fisher improved his career-best round by two strokes andprovided the platform for his fourth European Tour title.
Victory on Sunday would also move Fisher into Europe’s nineautomatic qualifying spots for this year’s Ryder Cup, a place hecould cement with good results at the WGC Invitational in Ohioand the U.S. PGA Championship next month.
“This is the start of three really important weeks for mewith the Ryder Cup coming up,” Fisher said. “This (61) gives mea lot of confidence knowing I can make a lot of birdies.”
Fisher’s blistering round was the first he has played withnew caddie Phil ‘Wobbly’ Morbey, who was alongside Ian Woosnamfor Ryder Cup matches and the Welshman’s 1991 U.S. Mastersvictory.
“Wobbly’s been on tour for 30 years, he is so experiencedand he’s giving me so much self-belief,” added Fisher.
Italy’s Francesco Molinari drew up to second place with a66.
Molinari, who is hoping brother Edoardo can force his wayinto Europe’s Ryder Cup team so they can reform their 2009 WorldCup winning partnership, would virtually seal his place in ColinMontgomerie’s team for Celtic Manor with victory in Ireland.
Three-times major winner Padraig Harrington, just one ofEurope’s high profile players still not assured of a Ryder Cupplace, carded a 67 to be in a large group in third place fivestrokes behind Fisher.
A 68 also put tournament favourite Rory McIlroy in thatpack. Darren Clarke (70) is a further stroke back.
(Editing by Pritha Sarkar; To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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