Ross Fisher wins Tshwane Open

Ross Fisher shot a final-round 70 to record a 20-under-par 72-hole total and win the European Tour's Tshwane Open by three shots from Danie Van Tonder and Michael Hoey

Ross Fisher

Ross Fisher wins Tshwane Open

Ross Fisher shot a final-round 70 to record a 20-under-par 72-hole total and win the European Tour's Tshwane Open by three shots from Danie Van Tonder and Michael Hoey.

The Englishman - who notched his first victory since the 2010 Irish Open - has now given himself a chance of making the European Ryder Cup team this September.

Fisher opened up with a six-under-par 66 at Copperleaf Golf and Country Estate and followed that with rounds of 65 and 67 to head into Sunday five shots clear.

He made the turn in one-under-par, but saw his lead whittled to one shot by Van Tonder and then Hoey.

But the Northern Irishman double-bogeyed the 12th and Fisher holed a 30-foot eagle putt on 15 to move well clear.

He parred 16 and 17 to effectively secure victory and closing bogey only served to cut his margin of victory to three.

"I'm thrilled to get over the line," said Fisher. "It was a testing day with the weather conditions and playing with Mike he put up a great challenge for me.

"I set a target of trying to go out there and shoot in the 60s and almost managed to do it.

"I had a little mishap on the last but I'm just glad to be standing here as champion."

Carlos Del Moral finished alone in fourth and there were top 10s for Kevin Phelan, Chris Wood and Edoardo Molinari. Tshwane Open Copperleaf Country Club, South Africa Feb 27 - Mar 2nd, purse €1,500,000, par 72

1) Ross Fisher (ENG) 66-65-67-70 = 268 €237,750 T2) Danie Van Tonder (RSA) 66-70-69-66 = 271 €138,150 T2) Michael Hoey (NIR) 69-65-69-68 = 271 €138,150 4) Carlos Del Moral (ESP) 68-65-71-68 = 272 €73,650 5) Hennie Otto (RSA) 71-65-69-68 = 273 €61,950 T6) Darren Fichardt (RSA) 66-68-71-70 = 275 €44,750 T6) Kevin Phelan (IRL) 68-69-68-70 = 275 €44,750 T6) Chris Wood (ENG) 67-68-72-68 = 275 €44.750 9) Merrick Bremner (RSA) 69-69-67-71 = 276 €32,400 T10) Simon Dyson (ENG) 65-68-71-73 = 277 €27,100 T10) Trevor Fisher Jnr (RSA) 65-69-71-72 = 277 €27,100 T10) Edoardo Molinari (ITA) 70-65-70-72 = 277 €27,100

Bold signifies Titleist golf ball usage

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x