Skip navigation
Site powered by
Latest news:
msnbc.com: Top msnbc.com headlines: Riots spread as Greek lawmakers OK debt bill

Fisher could deliver; so could his wife

Englishman is shot off lead, but says he’ll leave if wife goes into labor

Britain Open GolfAP
Ross Fisher of England reacts to a missed putt on the 15th green during the third round of the British Open on Saturday.

TURNBERRY, Scotland - Ross Fisher has his best chance to win the British Open. That’s provided he makes it to the first tee Sunday.

Fisher’s wife, Joanne, is three days overdue and the 28-year-old Englishman plans to hurry from the west coast of Scotland to their home outside London to be at the birth. He is edging closer to the Open title with one shot to make up on leader Tom Watson. He is also waiting for the phone to ring any time.

“If Jo does go into labor, I’ll be supporting her 100 percent. And I won’t be here, I’ll be with her because it’s something I definitely don’t want to miss,” he said.

“It’s been a long week, an intriguing week. I’ve got three days, she’s got three days,” he added. “Hopefully I can hang on one more day and hopefully she can. To win and then to get back home and to see the birth of our first child would be obviously a dream come true. But there’s a long way to go. Let’s hope we can both hold on.”

Fisher came close to a major triumph a month ago when he was tied for third after three rounds of the U.S. Open only to finish fifth behind surprise winner Lucas Glover at Bethpage Black.

Now he is chasing one of the greats in the 59-year-old Watson, who is one round from his sixth Open title and ninth major in one of golf’s amazing performances.

“It’s similar to my story, I guess, a bit of a Cinderella story,” Fisher said. “To be playing as well as he is at age 59 it’s incredible. He won here (at Turnberry) 32 years ago so I’m sure there will be a lot of followers out there for Tom, cheering for him.”

Slideshow
US golfer Tom Watson chips onto the 18th
  The 138th British Open Championship
Final day of play in Turnberry, Scotland.

more photos

Like Lee Westwood, who is tied for fourth and two shots off the lead, Fisher is trying to become the first Englishman to win the Open since Nick Faldo won his third in 1992. He is bidding to be the first British winner since Paul Lawrie of Scotland at Carnoustie 10 years ago.

Fisher and Westwood will be playing partners Sunday in a boost for the English gallery. Fisher is puzzled at why it’s been so long since there’s been a British champ.

“Hopefully that will end tomorrow, whether it’s myself or whether it’s Lee or someone else,” he said. “Hopefully we can boost the British game and European golf and try and get a win.”

That’s assuming he even gets there.

© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

advertisement
Latest golf video
AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am - Preview Day
Getty Images
Will Tiger win again?
The Masters is going to be huge for Tiger Woods, but don't expect him to be the player he once was.

Slideshow
Jack Nicklaus
  Top 10 'accessible' golf courses
From California to Florida, these amazing greens are open for anyone to play.

more photos

Slideshow
Image: Tom Lewis
  Record Open performances
Take a look at the records — both good and bad — set at golf's oldest major.

NBCSports.com

Slideshow
Image: Darren Clarke
  British Open champions
These golfers have conquered the field to claim top honors at the oldest major.

NBCSports.com