Sat Jul 5 14:39:10 2008

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Fisher remains in lead at European Open

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Ash, England (Sports Network) - Ross Fisher shot a three-under 69 on Saturday to lead the European Open for the third day in a row.

Fisher stood at 16-under 200 through three rounds at London Golf Club, where he will be seeking his second European Tour win on Sunday. A closing birdie at the 18th hole, coupled with a bogey by Graeme McDowell, gave Fisher a three- shot lead at the end of a windy day.

"I'm delighted with my score out there today because it was very tricky," said Fisher. "I feel like I'm getting to know the course well and I feel comfortable and confident."

McDowell had a one-under 71 and was at 13-under 203 overall -- in second place behind Fisher for the third consecutive day. He hit into the water on the way to making his closing bogey at the 18th.

"It was a disappointing finish, obviously," said McDowell. "But it was good to get out of there with a five."

David Frost (69) was six shots off the lead at 10-under 206, while no other player was within seven strokes of Fisher. Paul McGinley (71) led a three-way tie for fourth place at eight-under 208.

Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington and defending champion Colin Montgomerie couldn't muster enough birdies Saturday to move into good position.

Garcia, who was four shots off the lead after the second round, stumbled to a two-over 74 and fell nine strokes back at seven-under 209. Montgomerie had a 73 and was 10 back at six-under 210, while Harrington sat another shot off the pace after a 69.

Fisher bogeyed two of his first seven holes -- Nos. 2 and 7 -- to fall over- par for the first time in any of his three rounds this week. The 27-year-old Englishman rebounded by going five-under over his last 11 holes.

The run started with back-to-back birdies before the turn, followed by five consecutive pars. Fisher then eagled the par-five 15th, but he didn't make up any ground doing so.

McDowell also made eagle there, and the two players headed to the final three holes tied for the lead.

But McDowell bogeyed the 16th to fall one shot back, and the two-stroke swing at the 18th gave Fisher his three-shot overnight lead.

"To go five-under over the last 11 holes was obviously a great comeback," said Fisher, who claimed his only European Tour win at the 2007 KLM Open. "I wouldn't say I had a shaky start, it was just a tricky start.

"There were a few key putts, and I just kept giving myself chances."