Oliver Fisher Golf

Oliver Fisher roared back in the final round of the Hong Kong open in Fanling, after a slip in form during the third round.

Ollie carded a superb 64 today to record his personal best round of the week, and finished the tournament T11, having cracked seven birdies and just one bogey leaving him six under par on the final round.

The tournament could of ended very differently for the 20 year old from Essex had he of managed a par round on the third day, instead of the three over par he ended with.  But beside any “ifs buts and maybes”, the tournament will provide another good learning curve as he continues to search for his maiden tour victory.

It was Lin Wen-tang of Taiwan who ended up claiming the victory over Rory McIlroy at the second hole of a sudden-death play-off for the UBS Hong Kong Open, after overnight leader Oliver Wilson again failed to live up to his promise and faded on the back nine.

The unfortunate youngster from Northern Ireland, lost in extra holes for the second time in three months, however, on this occasion it was Lin who claimed a deserved victory, firing his approach on the 18th to within just a few inches after seeing McIlroy find the green from a seemingly impossible position.

Lin had earlier blown the chance to win in regulation play, having found the putting surface but was unable to convert the birdie chance from eight feet. The missed putt left him on -15 and sitting level with both McIlroy and Italian Francesco Molinari.

Molinari then slipped out of the play-off after failing to match the birdies of the other players as they returned down the par-four 18th.

Oliver Fisher Results

Round Scores = 67 – 65 – 73 – 64
Position = T11
Par = -11
Prize Money = €32903

After Friday’s perfect round, Oliver ended up three over par today, having struck five bogeys and two birdies in Fanling.

Hope was raised yesterday as Ollie took a share of top spot, however he couldn’t maintain yesterday’s excellent form which bought him a round of 65.

Finishing today’s round on 73 leaves Oliver in T25 position, but still five under par for the tournament.

Oliver will be hoping for a stronger round again tomorrow to earn a top ten placing in the first tournament of the new season.

Current leader Oliver Wilson maintained his form to fire five under par today, which bettered his two previous rounds of four under par each.

Englishman Wilson, an eight-time runner-up so far in his career is looking to secure his maiden tour win.

Fisher on Form in Hong Kong

A bogey free round two, with five birdies ensured that Oliver Fisher maintained his pressure on the top of the table at the Hong Kong Open.

Finishing another impressive round, with a superb 65, means Fisher now sits top of the leaderboard alongside South Africa’s Louise Oosthuizen, Thailand’s Chawalit Plaphol and England’s Oliver Wilson, all on 8 under par after day two.

Having bogeyed the 16th hole on day one, Ollie bounced back to record a birdie on the same hole today which will boost confidence. With 3 birdies in the first six holes he was set up for his fantastic round nicely.

“I played very solidly today and I am in a good position going into the weekend,” said Ollie.

Montgomerie matched Fisher’s 65 to move into a share of the seconds at seven under, leaving him with high hopes of a repeat of his 2006 victory in Hong Kong.

Current leading players after round 2 in Hong Kong

More details to follow…..

UBS Hong Kong Open
Hong Kong GC
Fanling, Hong Kong

A promising start to the Hong Kong Open has left Oliver Fisher three under par and in sitting T9 in the tournament.
Four birdies on the front 9, and two more on the back, along with bogeys on the 8th, 11th & 16th holes has left Oliver in a good position to progress well in this tournament, hitting 67 on the par 70 course.

Ollie is ahead of the likes of Colin Montgomerie who also made a solid start with the Scot recording a round of 68, and is looking to notch up a second UBS Hong Kong title.

Current leader is China’s number one, Wen-chong Liang who achieved six under par, having nailed seven birdies and slipping to just one bogey.

Check back again tomorrow for further updates on Oliver’s performance in Hong Kong.

UBS Hong Kong Open
Thu 20th Nov
Hong Kong GC

With the unveiling of the Euro Tour’s new international schedule, the UBS Hong Kong Open has become even more high profile. Held in Fanling, the Hong Kong Open was first staged in 1959, and is the oldest professional sports event in Hong Kong.
It is widely considered as the jewel in the crown of Asian golf with a heritage envied by every other tournament in the region.

Current European Number 1 Colin Montgomerie told BBC Sport, “It’s certainly a lot more difficult to come over to Asia and win than it was a few years ago,” said Montgomerie.
“There’s been a dramatic increase in standards over the last 10 or 15 years.”

Montgomerie believes that Europe’s stars will be pushed all the way by Asia’s top players at the Hong Kong Open starting today. He’ll be facing some strong competition from holder Miguel Angel Jimenez and Ryder Cup duo Paul Casey and Thomas Bjorn.

Robert Karlsson made history by becoming the first Swede to win the European Tour Order of Merit having seen his rivals fall away in the final round at Valderrama.

Lee Westwood still had hopes of claiming the Harry Vardon Trophy for the 2nd time, but Padraig Harrington and Miguel Angel Jimenez had already seen their chance of catching Karlsson slip away even before Sunday’s play at the Volvo Masters.

In the last three-and-a-half years I have taken myself to a new level. But this has been the hardest week I’ve ever experienced in golf.

Robert Karlsson

Westwood, back in the world’s top 10 for the first time in over five years was left to reflect on a season of near misses, as once again he faced disappointment on the final day of a tournament.
Westwood found himself in 2nd spot after three rounds, when only a win was good enough to deny Karlsson of the top spot – unfortunately for Westwood he didn’t even come close in the end.

Kjeldsen never stopped from the moment the Dane started with a blitzing round of 65, meaning he collected the first prize. While Westwood’s T4 with Garcia, 4 shots behind Kjeldsen, and Harringtons 13th place left Karlsson with the top money spot no matter what he achieved.

Oliver Fisher finished a very respectable T25 in Valderrama tied alongside Thomas Levet who he had battled with back in March in Andalucia. With tough weather conditions, on the already tough course, Fisher managed to complete the 2nd round on par 71, and looked in good shape only to fall away in the final two rounds.

Ending his 2nd season on the European tour, he regained some of the quality form that bought him 3 top ten finishes and ended the 2008 European Tour Order of Merit at 51 – earning €594,587.

Having missed the cut at four out of the last seven tournaments, it looks like Fisher has regained that magical touch ready for the new campaign, after another hectic season of professional golf.
His achievements of course including posting the winning score in Andalucia back in March, where he was pipped at the play-off by Thomas Levet, just missing the chance to record his maiden tour win.

Finishing Valderrama, which was only open to the top 60 Order of Merit, ahead of the likes of Robert Karlsson, Ian Poulter & Oliver Wilson should give Fisher plenty of encouragement for 2009.

Oliver Fisher Results

Round Scores = 73 – 71 – 73 – 74
Position = T25
Par = +7
Prize Money = €44,500