Fisher targetting double delight

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July 19, 2009

Ross Fisher is targeting an amazing double – winning the Open Championship and becoming a father for the first time.

Ross Fisher is targeting an amazing double – winning the Open Championship and becoming a father for the first time.
The young Englishman will go into Sunday’s final round at Turnberry on three under par, just one shot off the lead held by 59-year-old Tom Watson.
But the 28-year-old has always maintained he will quit the tournament at any point to be with his wife Jo if she goes into labour.
Speaking after a third round 70 on Saturday, Fisher initially appeared to have softened his stance when he said: “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
However, he later added: “Like I said all along, if Jo does go into labour, I’ll be supporting her 100 per cent. I won’t be here, I’ll be with her, because it’s something that I definitely don’t want to miss.
“It will be a shame. It’s been a long week. I’ve got through three days, she’s got through three days. Hopefully I can hang on for one more day, and hopefully she can.
“To win and then to get back home and to see the birth of our first child would be obviously a dream come true.”
Fisher will partner Lee Westwood in the final round – Westwood is two off the lead on two under – with both players hoping to become the first British winner of a major since Paul Lawrie triumphed in the Open at Carnoustie in 1999.
“I’m not sure why a British guy hasn’t won for 10 years,” added Fisher, fifth in the recent US Open at Bethpage. “We’ve got a tremendous amount of talent in the game.
“Hopefully that (drought) will end tomorrow, whether it’s myself or whether it’s Lee or someone else. It’s a shame, but hopefully we can boost the British game and European golf and try and get a win tomorrow.”
Watson will be the sentimental favourite to win an incredible sixth Open title on Sunday, some 34 years after his first, but Fisher had plenty of support at Turnberry too – one fan wearing a cap bearing the phrase “Hold on Mrs Fisher.”
“Tom Watson, it’s a bit of a Cinderella story,” Fisher added. “To be playing as well as he is at age 59, it’s incredible.
“He won here 32 years ago so I’m sure there will be a lot of followers out there for Tom rooting for him. But I had my fair share today and it was wonderful to hear the reception up to every tee, up to every green.
“Coming down 18, receiving a reception like that is something that you’ll never forget. Hopefully I can play good tomorrow and get just as nice reception tomorrow. Hopefully it will be for a win.
“Obviously I’ve got a great chance. If I can play my game and go out there and shoot a decent score, post a number in the group in front of him (Watson) that he’s got to beat, who knows?”