Fisher overcomes injury scare to take lead in Portugal

ENGLAND’S Ro s s Fisher overcame an injury scare to move a step closer to his fifth European Tour title yesterday.

The 31-year-old slipped walking off the first tee when he resumed the Portugal Masters and feared for a while that he might wthdraw.

But after a physio was called for and strapping applied to his left foot, Fisher battled on and thanks in large part to a 22-foot eagle putt on the long 17th added a 67 to his opening 65.

On 10 under par

h ave

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at halfway Fisher leads by three from Scot Stephen Gallacher and Austrian BerndWiesberger.

Gallacher is seeking only his second victory in nearly 400 Tour events but Wiesberger has already had two this season.

Fisher

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tasted success at the Irish Open two years ago, a victory which helped to secure him a Ryder Cup debut.

Since partnering Padraig Harrington to two wins against the Americans, however, he has managed only one top-five finish and is at 140th in the world.

Four of the eight Scots taking part made the cut and will be playing again today and tomorrow.

Fifers Peter Whiteford and George Murray are both through after carding 71 and 76 respectively.

Whiteford lies nine off the lead, while Murray, whose score was disappointing after a 67 on the opening day, is a shot further behind.

Also making the cut was Scott Jamieson, who fired a second round 70 to lie six off the lead.

Going home, however, are David Drysdale, Craig Lee, Gary Orr and MarcWarren.