Trevor Fisher Jnr took another casual stroll around 18 holes at Royal Cape Golf Club on Saturday, writes MICHAEL VLISMAS.
He chipped in for eagle. He putted well. He signed for a 67. And he leads the Circa Cape Town Open by a single shot going into Sunday’s final round. It was the perfect example of how to make golf look easy.
“I’m just trying to enjoy it, which is not always easy with this game,” said the South African, who heads the field on 16 under par as he looks to end a decade-long win drought with a victory in this Sunshine Tour and HotelPlanner Tour event.
His nearest challenger is Spain’s Santiago Tarrio who posted a 65 for a total of 15 under par. Another Spaniard in Pablo Ereno is third on 12 under par after a 70.
But on Saturday, despite what was happening around him, Fisher Jnr looked to be in his own world. And that’s exactly where he plans to stay.
“I felt relaxed out there and didn’t feel under pressure,” he said. “If I was in trouble I managed to get out of it. I putted nicely and saved one or two shots with some nice up-and-downs. But I’m trying to take the pressure off myself and just play the game, and not have too many swing thoughts in my head.”
As a nine-time winner, the last of which was the DP World Tour co-sanctioned Africa Open in 2015, Fisher Jnr has a wealth of experience for what Sunday’s final round will bring – including a healthy dose of Cape wind.
His short game has been sublime, highlighted by a chip-in for eagle on the par-four 12th today.
“I’d made a naughty three-putt the hole before – my first this week. So I had a 25m chip and it spun a bit right and went in. That was nice.”
But it’s his new realisation of how he wants to approach the game going forward that has worked so well for him this week.
“This is not a perfect game. You just need to find a way to get the ball in the hole in the least amount of shots. I’m just trying to be very easy and chilled out there. So tomorrow we’ll take another casual stroll out there and see what happens. If we do it we do it. If we don’t, I’ll still be the same person on Monday.”
It’s a common theme among the leading contenders. Behind him, Tarrio is taking the same approach.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve made scores like this. I was very relaxed. It’s been a tough last few years, so my focus is to enjoy it first, and the score comes after that.”
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Photo: Sunshine Tour
Article Link: Cool Fisher Jnr maintains Cape Town Open lead