Fisher triumphs at European Open

England's Ross Fisher won the European Open by seven shots to claim the second European Tour victory of his career.

The 27-year-old, who led from the opening round, shot a final-round 68 to finish on 20 under, seven shots ahead of Spain's Sergio Garcia in second.

In blustery conditions, Garcia, tied for seventh after the third round, hit a 66 for the best round of the day.

South African David Frost qualified for the Open Championship by finishing fourth at The London Club.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell had been in contention since the opening round but hit a disappointing 73 to finish one shot behind Garcia.

That third-place finish leaves McDowell in the 10th and last automatic spot in the Ryder Cup standings, while Colin Montgomerie, who hit a 77 for a 24th-place finish in Kent, remains 14th in the Ryder Cup points race.

"I might have made it look easy, but it certainly wasn't"
Ross Fisher

Open champion Padraig Harrington, who was paired with the Scot, finished 18 shots behind Fisher in 17th and the Dubliner believes Fisher is capable of winning more tournaments.

"I don't think any player out here would be surprised at Ross's performance. He is well capable of doing this and more regularly," said Harrington.

Fisher, who began the tournament with a course-record 63, completed a magnificent win by holing a bunker shot on the last and moved from 21st in the Ryder Cup standings to 11th.

"They say the second win is harder. I might have made it look easy, but it certainly wasn't," said Fisher, who contemplated not playing in Kent after coming through a strenuous 36 holes to qualify for the Open Championship.

Garcia, one of the favourites to win the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale, moves to second in the Ryder Cup standings after what he described as the top-five rounds of his career.

"Just a great week," said the Spaniard. "I felt really calm all day, very composed, comfy with my game.

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"Ross Fisher's European Open victory was one of the performances of the year"
BBC Sport's Iain Carter

"I got my fair share of luck as well - at the last I was just thinking, 'Try and put it on the green'. I'm delighted.

"Obviously I came here trying to win, but my second goal was to get as many cup points and that's helped a lot."

Garcia added: "It was definitely the best putting round I have ever had. I don't expect to putt like this every round. I would love to though because it would make the game easy.

"Now I know what Tiger Woods feels like 98% of the time he gets on the greens. It is a great feeling."

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