Fisher responds at European Open
by Richard Field, 04 July 2008
Ross Fisher responded to the gauntlet thrown down by Graeme McDowell to draw level with the Ulsterman in the second round of the European Open.
McDowell carded a 67 with six birdies and a bogey to reach 12-under at halfway.
But the overnight leader, Fisher, who began his second round on nine-under, picked up birdies at the third, fifth and eighth holes to draw level with fellow Ryder Cup hopeful McDowell.
"My job was to keep the foot on the pedal and keep it going," McDowell said.
"I'll take 12-under at halfway every week, whether it leads or not, and I fully expect to be in the mix come Sunday afternoon."
Sergio Garcia, in the same group as McDowell, made up for a modest opening round of 71 with a scintillating 64 to reach nine-under and hold third place.
The highlight of the Spaniard’s round was an eagle-three at the eighth to compliment six birdies and a bogey at the London Golf Club.
Paul McGinley [68] trailed the leaders by five shots after recovering from a bad start to keep his hopes alive of qualifying for the Open.
The Irishman, who dropped three strokes in the last two holes on Thursday, three-putted the 11th but retrieved the situation with five birdies.
48-year-old David Frost [72] dropped a shot at the last as the South African also reached seven-under.
Things were not so bright though for Justin Rose [73] who double-bogeyed the 18th to sit a distant 10 shots off the pace.