ENGLAND’S Ross Fisher completed a memorable marathon effort by beating American Ryder Cup player Anthony Kim to become Volvo World Match Play champion in Spain yesterday.
The 28-year-old, with high hopes of making his own Ryder Cup debut in Wales next October, won the final 4&3 after playing an amazing 126 holes in four days.
Ian Poulter had it easy in Singapore by comparison. He was required to play only 72.
Earning a cheque for nearly £676,000 also takes last year’s European Open champion to fourth on this season’s Order of Merit and he could go top by winning the HSBC Champions in Shanghai next Sunday.
“I’m absolutely ecstatic,” he said. “It’s been a long, gruelling week, but obviously very worthwhile.
“This course was very physically demanding and I don’t think I am the fittest of blokes out here. I know I need to work a lot more in the gym.
“The only thing that’s been missing this year was a win.
“I feel I’ve been very consistent and to be the leading guy in the majors (in terms of shots taken) shows my golf has been very good.”
Even if he ends up needing a wild card, captain Colin Montgomerie will have surely noted down that his performance in Spain came after he reached the semi-finals of the Accenture match play in Arizona in February.
This time he went further by overcoming Masters champion Angel Cabrera at the third extra hole and was never behind in the final from the moment he birdied the first.
“I think this format suits me,” he continued. “I’m quite an aggressive player and sometimes it’s caught me out in the past but the best player in the world is an aggressive player and he hasn’t done too badly.
“That’s where I draw inspiration from – try to be aggressive but smart as well.”
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