Unheralded Englishman Oliver Fisher on Friday fired the first round of 59 in the European Tour’s 46-year history on the second day of the Portugal Masters.
The 30-year-old tapped in for par on the final hole to complete an astonishing 12-under-par round featuring 10 birdies and an eagle, after his long birdie putt for a 58 grazed the edge of the hole.
“It feels great, I started great and I kept it going,” Fisher said. “Just pleased I two-putted from 40 feet on the final green.”
Fisher’s feat at breaking a record that has stubbornly stood for 46 years and 690,000 rounds of golf prompted congratulatory messages from his peers.
“I woke up here in Atlanta and all the boys were talking about it, so I flicked on the Golf Channel and watched him hit his second shot into the last and two-putt for the Tour’s first 59,” Justin Rose told reporters at the Tour Championship.
“It was really cool and could have easily been a 58, so I give Oli a 58-and-a-half, as his first putt was a great putt,” he added with a grin.
“A 59 was always going to happen and I am surprised, given it has happened eight times on the PGA and Jim Furyk has shot a 58, along being one of those to shoot a 59, why it has taken this long,” Rose said.
“The European Tour can play some short courses, but I am so pleased for Oli; he was able to do it and he’s a lad who is very popular on Tour and we’re all very happy for him and the Tour,” he added.
Fisher, who was regarded as a possible future star as a teenage amateur, is ranked No. 287 in the world and had missed 11 cuts in his 22 previous events this season.
He also had to battle to save his tour card at the same tournament two years ago, but scaled heights that thousands of players had failed to reach before with his efforts on Friday.
“Two years ago I was on the same green just trying to keep my card, so I was keeping that in the back of my mind and trying to remember that it could be worse,” Fisher said.
His round put him on 12-under for the tournament and gave him a seven-shot lead over compatriot Eddie Pepperell.
Fisher started the day eight shots off the lead on even-par, needing a strong round just to make the cut.
However, he carded five birdies and an eagle in a seven-under front nine of 28, before starting the second half with three straight birdies to raise hopes of making history.
“Going out today I certainly didn’t expect to shoot such a low score, but after the start, coming onto the back nine it was in the back of my mind,” Fisher told Sky Sports.
“I said to my caddie on the 16th green: ‘[Let’s] just to try and enjoy it and get those two drives away,’ and thankfully I managed to get that lucky number,” he said.
Two other men had come close to the magical number at the Portugal Masters: Scott Jamieson and Nicolas Colsaerts missed putts to break 60 in 2013 and 2014 respectively.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely