Fisher’s 59 was so close to a 58

– Unheralded Englishman Oliver Fisher fired the first round of 59 in the European Tour’s 46-year history on a remarkable second day of the Portugal Masters yesterday.

The 30-year-old tapped in for par on the final hole to complete an astonishing 12-under-par round with 10 birdies and an eagle, after his long birdie putt for a 58 grazed the edge of the hole.

“It feels great, I started great and I kept it going,” Fisher said. “Just pleased I two-putted from 40 feet on the final green.”

Fisher, who was regarded as a future star as a teenage amateur, is ranked No 287 in the world and had missed 11 cuts in 22 previous events this season. –

Vilamoura