GOLF:YOU WOULDN'T believe that this course represents a serious slog, with many of the approach shots on its 7,675 yards being uphill to grainy greens. Yesterday, though, England's Ross Fisher – the Irish Open champion, seeking to turn what he termed "a below par season" into a being "a pretty good season" – contrived to shoot a course record-equalling 64, for 135, and yet found himself surrounded by a posse of his fellow-countrymen.
On a day when Germany’s Martin Kaymer consolidated his attempt to be Europe’s number one, edging into tied-fourth, Fisher’s own quest for some end-of-year fulfilment got some nourishment with a thoroughly impressive, bogey-free round that featured eight birdies, including a hat-trick from the 12th.
As if to highlight the quality of golf on the European Tour, even that Fisher effort didn’t allow him to move clear of the field in the way that Lee Westwood did in the inaugural tournament last year. In fact, Ian Poulter, riding the crest of a wave on the back of his win in Hong Kong last week, joined his Ryder Cup team-mate atop the mid-way leaderboard top-heavy with Englishmen, as world number one Westwood hovered just a shot further adrift in third.
So, there’s all to play for on many fronts: firstly, the tournament itself with top prize of €910,348 to the winner; secondly, the race – now firmly in Kaymer’s favour – to be crowned European number one; and, thirdly, the battle between Westwood and Kaymer to leave the desert as world number one. It all makes for an intriguing final two rounds, with the one ingredient missing being any sort of a realistic Irish contender. Darren Clarke, in tied-20th after successive 71s, headed the seven-strong Irish challenge and shared a common thread with Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell in finding the grainy greens difficult to putt out on.
There were no such worries for the two Englishmen at the head of affairs. Fisher – who hit every green in regulation – played wonderfully and credited a mindset that had him come into the season’s finale with lower expectations as a reason for his relaxed play. “My long game is very solid and, obviously, to shoot a good score, you need to hole putts. I was fortunate that I saw the lines well and my speed was good. Eight birdies and to walk off without any bogeys is very, very pleasing,” said Fisher.
Poulter, too, revelled in defying the course’s difficulty. Still, Poulter got off to a perfect start – hitting a nine-iron approach in to six feet on the first to kick-start a hat-trick of birdies – and, despite birdieing only one of the four par fives, he moved into a share of the lead with Fisher after a bogey-free 66. “It was putt, after putt, after putt and good shot, after good shot, after good shot,” said Poulter of being paired with Westwood as the two gave an exhibition.
For his part, Westwood – the course and distance winner of last year’s tournament – maintained the form which has seen him rise to world number one and doesn’t intend backing off. “It’s one of those golf courses where I turned up the first time and saw a way of getting around it. Most tee shots fit my eye, and other holes where people mention they struggle don’t seem to worry me too much. I like the length of the golf course, it plays into a longer hitter’s hands. And, yeah, the greens are grainy but I seem to cope fairly well. It’s a golf course I enjoy playing.”
Fisher and Poulter have been fore-warned.
