Oliver Fisher Golf

Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano won the British Masters as he just beat champion Lee Westwood in a play-off at the Belfry.

The Spaniard sealed his victory at the third extra hole as last year’s winner Westwood made a bogey on the pair’s third trip down the 18th.

It capped a fantastic day for Fernandez-Castano who started Sunday’s last round three shots behind joint-leaders Westwood and Michael Campbell.

British Masters win for Fernandez-Castano

Campbell had to settle for third place as he finished on ten-under-par, two strokes behind the leading pair after the completion of 72 holes.

Lee Westwood looked likely for a succesful defence of the British Masters as he was 3 shots clear with 10 holes left to play, but it was to be Fernandez-Castano’s day as he posted a closing 67 on his way to claiming the £300,000 winner’s cheque.

Oliver Fisher Results

Round Scores = 77 – 75
Position = T108
Par = +7
Prize Money = 0

Oliver Fisher was unlucky to miss the cut in the British Masters at the Belfry today.
The tournament is currently lead by last year’s winner Lee Westwood after achieving a second round 70 today, leaving him currently 6 under par.

Play started three hours late today due to fog, leaving half the field, 72 players, without completing their rounds and will have to do so Saturday before the start of the third round.

Oliver’s coach Chris Jenkins said “Ollie was unlucky today, but he remains upbeat about his performance. The damage was done yesterday really, but today he played ok and was unlucky when he hit a double bogey on the 10th.”

Fisher started today’s round brightly with an eagle on the third hole, but finished the round 3 over par on 75. Thursday’s round finished in 77, having unfortunately managed 7 bogeys, and left today as an uphill struggle.

Oliver can now start preparing for next week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.

After the high drama of Valhalla, it is perhaps only fitting that The European Tour visits another course synonymous with The Ryder Cup for this week’s Quinn Insurance British Masters.

The Belfry, in Sutton Coldfield, England, has hosted The Ryder Cup on four occasions: in 1985, 1989, 1993, and most recently in 2002.

In that time, Europe prevailed three times – although in 1989 Captain Tony Jacklin’s side retained the trophy courtesy of a halved match – while the Americans won once, in 1993.

The Belfry

Seven of Europe’s heroes from the 2002 contest are in the field for The Quinn Insurance British Masters, along with two of the protagonists from last week in Kentucky.

Fresh from their exploits at Valhalla, Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell and the Englishman Lee Westwood head to the West Midlands in pursuit of the lion’s share of the £1.8m prize fund.

Westwood, of course, is the defending champion, having triumphed over The Belfry’s Brabazon course 12 months ago courtesy of a flawless seven under par 65 on the final day, which saw him first overhaul overnight leader Mark Foster of England and then fend off the challenge of his compatriot Ian Poulter.