Golf-Masters-Fisher shrugs off birth pangs to thrive at Augusta (Reuters)

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

AUGUSTA, Georgia, April 7 (Reuters) – For a second time in
three years, Britain’s Ross Fisher has vaulted into contention
at a major amid concerns over his pregnant wife, but on this
occasion at the Masters he hopes for a better golfing result.

Fisher, whose wife Joanne is expecting their second child
early next week, carded an adventuresome three-under-par 69 in
Thursday’s opening round to lie four shots off the lead.

Two years ago the Englishman entered the final round of the
British Open at Turnberry one shot off the pace but vowed to
drop everything and return home if his wife went into labour.

In the end no such interruption was necessary and he
finished four strokes behind winner Stewart Cink of the U.S.
before rushing off to witness the arrival of daughter Eve.

“Hopefully it’s not like last time, she hung on and I
didn’t,” Fisher, 30, told reporters after mixing six birdies
with three bogeys on a glorious spring day at Augusta National.

“Hopefully I can hang on this time.”

Although the four-times European Tour winner initially had
some concerns over the impending birth of his second child on
April 12, he was given a vote of confidence by his wife on the
eve of the tournament.

“She said best of wishes and best of luck,” Fisher said.
“And it’s completely different this time because it’s our
second (child).

“The first one was due the week of the (British) Open
whereas the second one is due after (this week).”

EVEN LOWER

Fisher, making only his third Masters appearance, was
pleased with his start at Augusta National, despite feeling he
could have gone even lower.

“Any time you go around this course in under 70 you’re
delighted but I’m kind of walking off a little bit disappointed
because I felt like I played very nicely today,” he said.

“I rolled in some putts and any time you can make five
birdies on the front nine you have to be very, very pleased.”

Fisher recovered from bogeys at the first and fourth with a
sizzling run of five birdies in seven holes from the fifth to
vault to the top of the leaderboard.

However he was annoyed after failing to birdie either of
the par-fives after the turn.

“I was trying to take that momentum in the back and I holed
a monster on 11 and made a great save on 12,” said the six-foot
three-inch Englishman. “I just wanted to try and birdie the par
fives, unfortunately I didn’t do that. And a shame to drop one
on 17, but overall pleased with 69.”
(Editing by Frank Pingue; To query or comment on this story
email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)