07/04/2008 - Ash, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ross Fisher shot a four-under 68 on Friday to remain in the lead after two rounds at the European Open.
Fisher, who scorched the London Golf Club for a course-record 63 on Thursday, stood at 13-under 131 overall. His two-shot overnight lead was trimmed to one shot by Graeme McDowell, who carded a 67 to move into second place at 12-under 132.
"I just wanted to go out there and prove that it wasn't a fluke," Fisher said, alluding to his 63 in the first round. "Sixty-three is obviously a tremendous score, but I didn't want to rest. I wanted to press on."
Sergio Garcia moved into contention with a eight-under 64 that vaulted him from a tie for 30th place into solo third at nine-under 135, four shots off the lead.
Soren Hansen had a 67 and was alone in fourth place at eight-under 136. He was the only other player within five shots of Fisher.
Defending champion Colin Montgomerie (67) shared fifth place with Ian Poulter (67), Paul McGinley (68), Michael Jonzon (68) and David Frost (72). They are tied at minus-seven.
Fisher had four birdies in his first 10 holes on Friday, but fell into a tie for the lead with McDowell when he bogeyed the 14th. A near-eagle at the 15th led to a tap-in birdie that moved Fisher into the lead again.
He followed that with another bogey at the 16th, momentarily sharing the lead with McDowell again. Fisher then ended his round with a birdie at the 18th hole, his 16th birdie in the first 36 holes.
"To be 13-under for two rounds, I'm pretty delighted," said Fisher.
The 27-year-old Englishman claimed his only European Tour win at the 2007 KLM Open. He was particularly pleased with his closing birdie at No. 18 on Friday, set up by a seven-iron to about five feet.
"I thought 'I want to hole this. I want to be leading heading into the weekend,'" said Fisher. "And fortunately, I did."
McDowell posted six birdies and a bogey in his second round, including three birdies in his last six holes (he started on the back nine). He played with Garcia, who finished strong with an eagle and a birdie on his last two holes.
"It was fantastic to play with him. He's one of the best ball-strikers in the world," said McDowell. "We had a couple of laughs out there. It was a relaxing atmosphere."
Along with Joakim Backstrom (71), their threesome was a combined 14-under par on Friday. Unfortunately for Backstrom, he missed the one-under cut line by five shots.
<< Jones, Garciaparra return for Dodgers
Los Angeles, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Dodgers received a boost
on Friday when Andruw Jones and Nomar Garciaparra returned from the disabled
list.
Garciaparra will play shortstop for the Dodgers in their afternoon contes
<< Canucks acquire Bernier
Vancouver, BC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Vancouver Canucks acquired forward Steve
Bernier from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a pair of draft picks on
Friday.
The Sabres will receive a 2010 second round draft pick and a 2009 third ro
<< Harang has start moved back; Hopper out for season
Cincinnati, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Cincinnati Reds right-hander Aaron Harang
is having his next start moved back to Tuesday because of stiffness in his
right forearm.
Harang has been struggling this season despite being a candidate
<< Padres place Barrett on DL with broken nose
Phoenix, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Diego Padres placed catcher Michael
Barrett on the 15-day disabled list with a broken nose that may require
surgery.
Barrett left Wednesday's 8-1 loss to the Rockies after fouling a ball off
Clauson wins first Nationwide pole at Daytona >>
Daytona Beach, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bryan Clauson captured his first career
Nationwide Series pole for this evening's Winn-Dixie 250 at Daytona
International Speedway. The No.40 Chip Ganassi Racing driver circled the famed
2.5-mil
It's in the Cards: Cubs' Zambrano makes return >>
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano will
start Friday's matchup, the opener of a three-game set with the St. Louis
Cardinals, after a two-week stint on the disabled list with a strained right
shoulder.
Zambr
Sabres acquire Rivet from Sharks >>
Buffalo, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Buffalo Sabres have acquired defenseman
Craig Rivet and a 2010 seventh-round draft pick from the San Jose Sharks in
exchange for second-round picks in 2009 and 2010.
The Sabres dealt restricted free
Fire searching for spark against Crew >>
Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago Fire coach Denis Hamlett admitted after
last week's 0-0 tie against the San Jose Earthquakes that his strikers "need to
finish."
The Fire, who scored 20 goals in their first 10 games, failed to score i
MySportsbook.com favors Bears, Bengals, Chargers and Colts to remain perfect
LAS VEGAS , Sept. 28 - Two big match-ups of undefeated teams have fans salivating at the Week Four schedule in the NFL. The Chicago Bears stifling defense looks to provide a less than hospitable welcome to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night in a battle of two 3-0 teams in the NFC conference. In the AFC, the San Diego Chargers (2-0) head to Maryland to face the surprising Baltimore Ravens (3-0) as both try to keep pace atop the conference standings. Betting Lines makers at MySportsbook.com, online sportsbook and casino, have set the Bears as 3.5 point favorites while the Chargers are a 2.5 point bet.
Of the three remaining undefeated teams, only one, New Orleans, enters this week's game as an underdog. Despite an emotional and resounding win over Atlanta on Monday night, the Saints are a 7.5 point underdog against the struggling Carolina Panthers. Indianapolis looks to stay perfect when they face the New York Jets as a 9 point road favorite while the Cincinnati Bengals are a 6 point favorite at home to the New England Patriots.
Six teams enter the week still looking for their first win, with a seventh, Tampa Bay, on a bye week. The prospect of dropping another game would not bode well for a potential playoff run. Since 1990, just three teams -- the 1992 Chargers, 1995 Detroit Lions and 1998 Buffalo Bills -- have overcome losing their first three games of the season to earn a postseason berth. And only the Chargers managed to accomplish the feat after starting 0-4.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.
Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting