Fisher wins World Match Play Championship

Ross Fisher landed the biggest title of his career yesterday (Sunday) when he beat American Anthony Kim to the World Match Play Championship at the Finca Cortesin course in Spain.

The Ascot golfer beat the American on the 15th hole of the second round of Sunday's thrilling final, winning by a margin of 4&3.

After a pinpoint pitch and short putt had won him the 14th, Fisher drove safely on to the 15th fairway. Kim was unable to birdie the par four and Fisher had the luxury of two putts for victory. He hit his first putt short and left, but confidently holed the second from five feet to win the world title.

For the former Charters School pupil it was his third European Tour win and landed him a whooping cheque for £676,000.

Fisher, 28, shot five-under-par 67 on in the opening round for a one-stroke lead before marching to six-under in his second round by the time victory arrived.
   
New father Fisher admitted his putter had finally delivered the goods after a mixed week ont he greens. In the final he put together a run of birdie, eagle, birdie between the third and fifth holes of the afternoon gave him the lead.

Fisher, who learnt his trade at Wentworth, said: "It's been a long, gruelling week. Anthony Kim is a gritty competitor, one of the grittiest around.

"I was happy to get a lead at lunch, and I continued to play really positively. My caddy told me to carry on fighting, and take it one shot at a time. Fortunately the putter finally got a little bit hot."

"This course is very demanding, not only mentally but also physically. All departments of my game were strong: the new driver seems to be going really well, my short game was pretty sharp and there were some shots out there that really paid dividends."

The ever improving Fisher moved up to a career best 17th in the world rankings following the win and looks set to make his Ryder Cup bow next year. His stunning season, which saw him finish fifth in the US Open as well as challenging in The Open and US PGA Championship, has shot up the Ryder Cup rankings from 107th to fifth. He also moved up three places to fourth in the Race to Dubai money list.

"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."

On Saturday, Fisher beat Angel Cabrera in a sudden death play-off to qualify for the final.

Fisher, who palyed an amazing 126 holes over the four days,  reached the semi-final after winning group D following wins over Camilo Villegas (2 up) and Jeev Milkha Singh (1 up). He lost, however, to Lee Westwood (2 down).

Fisher is currently in action at the final World Golf Championship event of the year in Shanghai. Victory would put him top of the Race to Dubai heading into the season finale.