Fisher named European Tour Golfer for October

Dubai: Englishman Ross Fisher has been named the Race to Dubai European Tour Golfer of the Month for October following his stunning victory in the Volvo World Match Play Championship at the Finca Cortesin Golf Course in Spain.

The 28-year-old beat American Ryder Cup player Anthony Kim 4 and 3 in the 36 hole final at the Caseras venue to move up to fourth in The Race to Dubai and 17th on the Official World Golf Ranking.

Fisher began the week with a defeat by his fellow countryman Lee Westwood but recovered magnificently under the new round-robin group format to dispatch Jeev Milkha Singh and Camilo Villegas in his next two matches to qualify for the semifinals before accounting for Masters Tournament Champion Angel Cabrera on the 39th green of an epic last four clash.

"It is a great thing to win the Golfer of the Month award — I was really thrilled when I was told about it," said Fisher. "It is the icing on the cake after what was a fantastic win for me in Spain and it is a huge honour and a massive privilege for me to be voted for by the panel. It shows that people do take note when you produce good performances."

The judging panel — which comprised members of the Association of Golf Writers in addition to commentators from television and radio — commended several other players for their performances in October, most notably Sweden's Michael Jonzon. In addition, Englishmen Simon Dyson, Ross McGowan, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood were also praised.