'The Boss' sets Fisher on fire in East London

09 March 2015 - 02:04 By Liam del Carme in East London
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

What started as a three-horse race effectively ended just after the turn as Trevor Fisher jnr streaked clear before galloping home over the closing holes en route to the Africa Open title here yesterday.

He had long closed the deal before he lined up a 40-foot birdie on the last but signed and sealed the victory in style by draining the putt to take him to 24-under, five shots clear of England's Matt Ford.

The putt on the last capped a phenomenal weekend in which Fisher completed the course in 17-under in testing conditions.

"When I got into the car this [yesterday] morning Bruce Springsteen's song, I think, 'I'm on fire' was playing," he said.

"Given the history of the tournament I knew it was my time. Three or four years ago I shot 14-under after two days but lost to Charl Schwartzel."

Springsteen is nicknamed "The Boss" in music circles.

It was Fisher's first European Tour international schedule victory in 45 attempts and brought peace of mind -European Tour exemption until the end of next year and close on R2.2-million in prize money.

Final-round rival Ford didn't do much wrong other than failing to keep up with his runaway playing partner. Ford bogeyed the ninth in an otherwise creditable final round.

Fellow South African Jaco van Zyl's challenge never materialised in the final round. He carded a two-under 70 to finish joint sixth on 14-under.

Fisher's win takes him inside the top 150 in world rankings.

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now