Fisher leads field at Dubai
Eight years ago, Ross Fisher was fetching balls for Tiger Woods on the practice range. Now, the Englishman holds a five-shot lead over the defending champion entering the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic at Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Fisher shot a second straight 7-under-par 65 Friday and was at 14 under halfway through the tournament. Woods struggled with his putting again and finished with a 67 to stand at 9 under.
“It was kind of weird,” Woods said. “I just didn’t feel like I made many putts today. I was all around the hole and most of them were actually misreads.”
Three-time Desert Classic winner Ernie Els climbed within two strokes of the lead with an eagle on the 13th hole. The second round was cut short because of darkness at Emirates Golf Club after a rare Dubai thunderstorm delayed play for more than two hours. Fisher held a four-stroke lead over Peter Hanson and Graeme McDowell.
“I’m hitting the ball probably as good as I’ve ever hit it,” said Fisher, who had eight birdies and a bogey. “It would be tough to have a third 65, but you know it’s out there if you play well.”
Fisher faces the possibility of playing alongside Woods on Sunday if they are the top two heading into the final round.
“It would be an absolute thrill to play with the best player in the world,” Fisher said.
“Obviously, all the pressure is going to be on him because he’s expected to win. No one’s going to be thinking, ‘I think Ross can take this guy on.’ I’ll try not to watch him too closely because at the end of the day, I’m going to try and beat the guy.”
PGA
Jeff Quinney took a long road to the PGA Tour after his U.S. Amateur triumph seven years ago. Now that he’s finally made it, he’s feeling right at home.
The former Arizona State star shot an 8-under 63 to take a three-shot lead before darkness suspended play at the FBR Open in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Quinney, a PGA Tour rookie after five years on the Nationwide Tour, was at 13-under 129 through 36 holes after a dominating second round under bright sunshine on the TPC Scottsdale course.
Billy Mayfair and Bart Bryant were three shots back at 10-under 132 after 66s.
LPGA
Karrie Webb took a big step toward her third Women’s Australian Open title, moving four shots clear of the field with a 4-under-par 68 today at Royal Sydney in Sydney, Australia.
Second-place Wei Yun-jye of Taiwan, who trailed the Australian by one shot after the second round and played in Webb’s group today, had a 1-under 71 and was one of seven golfers to break par in tough conditions. Webb had a three-round total of 10-under 206.
Sarah Kemp of Australia, who led after the first round with a 66 but had a 78 Friday, shot a 71 Saturday and is alone in third place at 1-under 215.
Marta Prieto of Spain and Virginie Lagoutte-Clement of France, each with 72s, and Ahn Sun-ju of South Korea (74), are in a three-way tie for fourth at even-par 216.
American Natalie Gulbis shot 72 to remain at 5 over on the tournament. Laura Davies of Britain, who won the Australian Open the last time it was played in 2004, had a 74 and is 8 over.