2008
Ross Fisher looked back on a “great week” after overcoming adverse weather and a world class field to win The European Open in emphatic style at London Golf Club. The 27 year old Englishman, who began the tournament with a course-record 63, completed a majestic seven stroke win by holing a bunker shot on the last. That summed up the week, one that began with him qualifying for The Open Championship and contemplating pulling out of this event because of tiredness.
Sergio Garcia thought a closing 68 might give him a chance given the conditions. He then produced a 66 he called one of the top-five rounds of his career and “definitely the best putting round I’ve ever had”. Yet, he would have had to shoot an unprecedented 59 just for a play-off.
Fisher, three ahead of closest challenger Graeme McDowell and nine clear of Garcia overnight, finished with a 68 for a 20 under par total – and with it moved from 21st in The Ryder Cup standings to 11th. “Just a great week,” he said. “I felt really calm all day, very composed, comfy with my game. “I got my fair share of luck as well – at the last I was just thinking, ‘Try and put it on the green’. I’m delighted.”
The win was Fisher’s second on The European Tour and having done it in such style against some of The European Tour’s biggest names, the future can only look bright for the Englishman attached to Wentworth Club. Fisher said: “They say the second win is harder. I might have made it look easy, but it certainly wasn’t.” As for the possibility of a Ryder Cup debut, he added: “I’d love it, but it’s still a long way off.”
Northern Irishman McDowell took third place after a closing 73 and that put him in the tenth and last automatic spot in The Ryder Cup standings.
Fisher’s 50 foot eagle putt on the fifth was the one that left the rest with too much ground to make up, providing he avoided disaster. He played the remaining holes in three under with birdies on the 12th, 15th and 471 yard 18th – there were only 25 birdies there all week and he had three of them.
2009
Christian Cévaër, World Number 449, overcame a star-studded field and one of the toughest holes in golf to win The European Open hosted by London Golf Club.
After an amazing weekend which saw no fewer than 45 changes of the lead, the 39 year old, whose only previous European Tour victory was the 2004 Open de España, beat England’s Steve Webster, Scot Gary Orr and Spaniard Alvaro Quiros by a shot. His winning total of 281, seven under par, was 13 strokes more than Ross Fisher took on the same London Golf Club course last year – and his 74 was the highest last round by a winner all season.
London Golf Club proudly hosted 90,000 spectators across the four days and visitors enjoyed a fantastic display of world class golf and glorious weather.
The tournament was preceded by a Pro-Am which saw stars of sport, stage and screen paired with some of the world’s top golfing talent. Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton was paired with recent Players Champion Henrik Stenson for his first visit to the London Golf Club. Tournament sponsors Polo Ralph Lauren, Rolex and Leisurecorp were also joined by Sir Steve Redgrave, Westlife frontman Shane Filan, London Club member Len Goodman and Jockey Kieron Fallon.
