Record-breaker Fisher reveals golf tournament pull-out debate

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LONDON (AFP) - England's Ross Fisher stormed into first round lead in the European Open here Thursday with a dramatic nine-under-par course record of 63 at the London Club - and then admitted he'd almost withdrawn from the event before it had started.

Fisher, three days after coming joint third in the British Open qualifier at Sunningdale, south-west of London, finished his round in spectacular style with six straight birdies.

In the process he broke the course record set by Seve Ballesteros when the Spain great played in the official opening in 1984.

But asked if he'd considered pulling out, Fisher replied: "I sort of had a thought about it. I was feeling pretty tired, but how do you pull out of an event when you live only 40 minutes away?

"It's pretty difficult to sit at home and watch it on TV, knowing that you are playing well.

"So I thought, 'Let's see how we go'. Have a few days off and if I feel fine I'll play."

He added: "Today was the first time I've seen the course. I had a day off on Tuesday and went to Wimbledon with my wife."

The 27-year-old's round was the lowest of his European Tour career and featured 10 birdies in total.

Fisher ended the day two ahead of veteran South African David Frost and Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell.

Defending champion Colin Montgomerie, meanwhile, closed on two under and British Open champion Padraig Harrington started with a level par 72.

McDowell, bidding for a Ryder Cup place, said: "I'm feeling mentally and physically fit and I'm not spending much time on the range. You pinpoint what you need to work on, get rest and stay off the Guinness on the weeks off.

"The race is only just beginning now we're into the meat and bones of the season," he added.

McDowell was not the only in-form Northern Irish golfer during the first round with teenager Rory McIlroy out on his own in fourth place after shooting a 67.

Meanwhile India's Jeev Milkha Singh was one of several players one shot further back of the 19-year-old.