Fisher rips Kim in final

CASARES, Spain – Ross Fisher won the 36-hole World Match Play Championship final on Sunday with a convincing 4 and 3 victory over Anthony Kim.

Fisher had an eagle at the par-4 22nd hole and birdie at the par-5 23rd to put him 3-up at the Finca Cortesin golf course. Kim won the next hole but then missed putts on the 25th and 26th holes. Kim later missed several hole-winning putts down the stretch.

“Fortunately the putter finally got a little bit hot,” said Fisher, who became the fourth Englishman to win the event. “It was slow to get going but when I needed some crucial putts there were some really good putts I holed today.”

Fisher, who was sharp around the greens early in the day, never trailed his American opponent as the first 18 holes were played in cool, overcast conditions before the sun came out in the afternoon.

“It was tough. This course is very demanding, not only mentally but physically,” said Fisher, whose 126 holes completed included a playoff against Masters champion Angel Cabrera on Saturday. “Fitness was probably a big aspect.”    (AP)