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Fisher closing in on title
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Fisher closing in on title

Ross Fisher has successfully battled against the wind, rain and The London Golf Club course to move six strokes clear with seven holes to play in The European Open.

After bogeying the second, the 27 year old Englishman, three ahead overnight, sank a 50 foot eagle putt on the long fifth after nearest challenger Graeme McDowell played the opening four holes in four over.

Entering the inward half, Fisher - seeking his second win on The European Tour - was 17 under par and Sergio Garcia had moved into second place on 11 under after a brilliant front nine 32.

McDowell was in a tie for third, with 48 year old South African David Frost seven behind. Frost was on course to earn a place in The Open Championship, which was up for grabs at the event to those who were not already exempt.

Elsewhere, Welshman Jamie Donaldson continued his recent run of good form by making a trip to the upper reaches of the leaderboard.

The World Number 277, who added a 21st place finish at the Open de France ALSTOM last week to the 15th place he recorded at the The Celtic Manor Wales Open at the beginning of June, was in a tie for 43rd after posting scores of 73-70-73 in the first three rounds at The London Golf Club.

However, he was tied for 12th at the conclusion of his final round following a superb score of 68. His biggest gains were made in the opening nine holes, where he picked up birdies at the fourth, fifth, eighth and ninth holes, while he also picked up a stroke at the par five 15th. A bogey four was posted at the 17th hole, but he stabilised with a par at the tricky par four 18th.

Englishman Simon Dyson also prospered well among the early starters, picking up four birdies and no bogeys en route to a solid 68 that gave him a clubhouse score of 286.

The score, which included birdies on the second, sixth, eighth and 13th holes, enabled him to leap from 57th to a share of 19th on the leaderboard at the conclusion of his round.

He was joined at 19th by compatriot David Howell, who recovered from a bogey on the second to card a 70 and finish two under par.

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