Fisher lifted by Shanghai performance

Ross Fisher boosted his confidence ahead of the new European Tour season after pushing world number two Phil Mickelson to the limit at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

Fisher proved his class on the world stage yesterday after Mickelson had stormed into a five-stroke lead after seven holes at the Sheshan International Golf Club.

Mickelson then stumbled and dropped six shots over eight holes as Fisher came through to take a two-stroke lead with three to play.

But an ambitious attempt to reach the final green in two then resulted in the Wentworth-based Englishman carding a double-bogey seven after the American had reduced the deficit to one heading down the final fairway.

Fisher played his second from the greenside rough but watched as the ball flew past the flag and downhill into the water. After taking a drop, he then chipped up and two-putted.

Mickelson picked up a crucial bogey, after finding water with his second, to force a three-way play-off with Fisher and Lee Westwood which he eventually went on to win.

Fisher said: “It was a tough day. I didn’t think I had blown it, but I thought I was out of it after nine holes – but I kept telling myself to hang in there with the back nine still to go.

“When I saw it go in the water, I was telling myself to suck it up and get it on the green and give yourself a chance. I thought I did tremendously well to suck everything up and sink an eight-footer to get myself in the play-off.

“I was thinking, ’I miss this and I won’t be in the play-off’. It shows how far I’ve come that I can be really patient with myself.”

After all three had birdie chances at the first play-off hole, Westwood was the first to falter after finding water with his second shot at the second extra hole.

And after Fisher chipped out of the greenside bunker to within eight feet in four, Mickelson played a deft flop to four feet with his third. The Englishman then missed his putt and the American holed his birdie to claim a thrilling win.

“I felt like I had played it really well with all the pressure just to give myself a chance,” said Fisher. “It’s just unfortunate that I didn’t hit as good a putt as I’ve been hitting all week and came up short.

“Hats off to Phil, he made a great up-and-down and he’s a very worthwhile and worthy champion.”

Fisher’s efforts will see him leap into the top 10 on the Ryder Cup point list and give him a great start on the 2008 European Tour Order of Merit.

“I’ve pushed the world number two all the way and I’ve beaten guys like Ernie (Els) this week and obviously Monty [Colin Montgomerie] missed the cut,” Fisher said.

“I am a little disappointed not to walk way with the trophy, but it’s been a great week.

“There are a lot of good things to come out of this week. I wanted to come here to win, obviously that wasn’t the case, but I can walk out of here with my head held high.”