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Fisher Sets Sights High

26 April, 09:53, by admin Tags: , , , ,
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FISHER SET SIGHTS HIGH
Sportinglife.co.za
By Andrew Mullen, Press Association Sport.

Oliver Fisher already has bigger goals in sight after all but sealing a return to the European Tour next season with a fifth consecutive top-10 finish at the Ballantine’s Championship.

Fisher was regarded as a better prospect than Rory McIlroy during their amateur days, but while the Ulsterman took up a US PGA Tour card this season, Fisher was faced with a season on the second tier Challenge Tour in Europe while also relying on invites after losing his playing rights at the end of 2009.

But after finishing tied fourth at Pinx Golf Club on Sunday, four shots behind runaway winner Marcus Fraser, the 21-year-old has already exceeded the earnings figure which secured a European Tour card last season while also ensuring a place in this week’s Open de Espana.

“I am close to getting my card for next season. I am playing next week and if I have a good week that will secure it for sure. At the start of the year I would have taken that come January,” said the Madeira Islands Open runner-up. “It’s been a good start, hopefully I can set some different goals now.

“If I have another good couple of weeks I can almost make the Race to Dubai. That will be the goal, see if I have a good week next week and then crack on from there.”

Read More – Sporting Life

Popularity: 55% [?]

Robert Karlsson takes Merit title

03 November, 14:10, by admin Tags: , , , , ,
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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.

Order of Merit 2008

1 R Karlsson (Swe) £2,171,087
2 P Harrington (Ire) £1,953,689
3 L Westwood (Eng) £1,926,306
4 MA Jimenez (Spa) £1,641,849
5 G McDowell (N Ire) £1,477,195
6 R Fisher (Eng) £1,459,068
7 H Stenson (Swe) £1,428,947
8 M Kaymer (Ger) £1,425,677
9 S Garcia (Spa) £1,264,731
10 S Kjeldsen (Den) £1,144,815

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

Popularity: 65% [?]

Garcia secures a home win

26 October, 21:24, by admin Tags: , , , , ,
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Sergio Garcia claimed his first European Tour title since 2005 at the Castello Masters, securing his victory by three shots, and dedicating his victory to Seve Ballasteros.
Ballesteros, 51, is seriously ill in hospital following three operations on a brain tumour.
“I couldn’t help but think about Seve,” said Garcia. “I’m sending all my love to him and his family and hope he recovers soon.
“I hope this victory helps him to get a little better.”

Garcia, the host of the tournament on the course where he learnt his trade – commenced the final day with a four-shot lead and was rarely troubled even after an early scare.
Despite starting with a birdie, the Spaniard saw his advantage cut to just one when his playing partner Peter Hedblom picked up shots at the first four holes.
Garcia, beginning to look a little nervous and being watched by relations, friends and neighbours, hit a bogey on the short sixth, he was briefly caught by Hedblom.
He responded with back-to-back birdies and immediately re-established his lead.
The cushion over Hedblom was still two standing on the 17th tee, but Hedblom missed a five-foot par putt which ended the Swede’s challenge.

With both men ending the 18th with a par, although his worst round of the week, Garcia’s 67 was good enough to earn him the third of a €1,000,000 first prize.
“It feels absolutely awesome,” said Garcia. “I didn’t play amazing and when Peter had such a great start I thought these guys were not making it easy for me.

Oliver Fisher failed to make the cut, having started Friday at one under par, he looked in good shape on the front nine but hit back to back bogeys leaving him just missing out on the weekend’s play.

Oliver Fisher Results

Round Scores = 70 – 73
Position = T67
Par = +1
Prize Money = €0

Popularity: 61% [?]

Charl Schwartzel wins Madrid Masters

13 October, 12:58, by admin Tags: , , , ,
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Schwartzel earned a 3 shot victory

Schwartzel earned a 3 shot victory

South African, Charl Schwartzel finished Sunday on a final round of 66 to beat Ricard Gonzalez by three shots and win the Madrid Masters.

It’s reported that Schwartzel spent most of the weekend suffering with flu symptoms, yet he managed to hold his game together superbly, with five birdies and not a single bogey yesterday he registered his third European Tour title.

Ricard Gonzalez ended three shots behind Schwartzel’s winning total of 19 under par, leaving Pablo Larrazavel a shot further behind in third place.

Schwartzel started the final day just one shot clear, but increased his lead over Gonzalez by making a birdie on two par-five holes on the front nine.
The South African produced an immaculate chip on the second of these long holes having initially landed some way wide of the green. It was a crucial blow to the Argentine’s hopes of a victory.
Schwartzel finished off that great chip with a three foot birdie on the green.

According to the Genworth Financial Statistics for the week, it showed that Schwartzel hit over 80% of greens in regulation, bettered only by Paul Lawrie. This consistency and accuracy provided a strong foundation for his win.

Oliver Fisher Stats

Did not attend.

Popularity: 48% [?]

Madrid Masters at Club de Campo

08 October, 08:01, by admin Tags: , , , , ,
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The European Tour moves to Spain this week, with the Madrid Masters.

Club De Campo

Club De Campo

The event is being played at Madrid’s Club de Campo, which last held the Tour in 2005.

Once short-listed to host the 1997 Ryder Cup, Club de Campo just lost out to Valderrama on Spain’s Costa del Sol.

All the holes are tree-lined and the greens are pretty small but with a generous width to the fairways, it makes the Club de Campo course a place where accuracy is required.

Robert Karlsson currently leads the 2008 European Order of Merit, but Belfry winner Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano will be looking for his first win on home soil.

Watch all four rounds of the Madrid Masters live on Sky Sports starts Thursday 9th from 11.30am.

Popularity: 46% [?]

Robert Karlsson clinched victory in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

06 October, 11:42, by admin Tags: , , ,
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The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship was won by Sweden’s Robert Karlsson who clinched victory  at the first extra hole at St Andrews on Sunday.

Bagging his second European Tour success within a month with a birdie on the first after tying with Ross Fisher and Martin Kaymer on 10 under par.

Ross Fisher whacked his drive straight in the rough guarding the green, while Kaymer claimed a regulation par-four.

It was left to Ryder Cup player Karlsson to hole out from just three feet following a delightful shot to take home the £432,000 first prize.

Oliver Fisher started the Championship brightly going 2 under par on Thursday’s round, having made 5 birdies. However Ollie’s form couldn’t quite hold on the 3rd round, where he slipped to a double bogey on 16th hole, leaving him +5 for the day.

Oliver Fisher Results

Round Scores = 70 – 75 – 77 – Cut
Position = T71
Par = +6
Prize Money = 0

Popularity: 38% [?]