Published>Fri, Jul 30 10 07:38 PM
Englishman Ross Fisher took control of the Irish Open early on Friday with a scintillating second round 10-under-par 61.
The 29-year-old improved his chances of a Ryder Cup debut by breaking the Killarney club course record by three shots as he surged to 12-under 130, five strokes clear of the field.
Last year's World Matchplay champion also threatened to record the first 59 on the European Tour as he ran up six successive birdies from the third hole and four in a row from the 11th.
He fell short of the magic mark, however, after missing chances in the closing holes.
"It was pretty flawless golf," Fisher told reporters. "After a solid start I caught fire.
"It was a shame the run had to end on the ninth but then I got into another great patch. I gave myself four good looks at birdies at the last four holes but didn't make them, and had to be satisfied with a 61."
Fisher bettered his career-best round by two strokes and provided the platform for his fourth European Tour title.
Victory on Sunday would also move Fisher into Europe's nine automatic qualifying spots for this year's Ryder Cup, a place he could cement with success at the WGC Invitational in Ohio and the U.S. PGA Championship next month.
"This is the start of three really important weeks for me with the Ryder Cup coming up," Fisher said. "And this (61) gives me a lot of confidence knowing I can make a lot of birdies."
Three-times major winner Padraig Harrington, another hoping to qualify for the European team, carded a 67 on Friday to share early second place.
Denmark's Anders Hansen (68), Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (69), South Korea's Noh Seung-yul (69), Australian Brett Rumford (69) and Northern Irishman Michael Hoey (69) were also five shots behind Fisher.
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