Fisher takes one-shot advantage at European Open

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ASH, England (AP) -- Ross Fisher birdied the last hole for a 68 to take a one-shot lead over Graeme McDowell after Friday's second round of the European Open.

McDowell earlier completed a 67 on the par-72 London Club course. Fisher and McDowell are 13-under and 12-under respectively with Sergio Garcia another three strokes behind following a day's best 64.

Soren Hansen is fourth on 8-under after a 67, and six players are on 7-under including Colin Montgomerie (67), Ian Poulter (67) and Paul McGinley (68).

Fisher shot a course record 63 Thursday and did not expect to match it.

"I didn't feel completely confident with my game," the Englishman said. "I was not quite as sharp and I missed a few fairways and a few putts."

The halfway cut fell at 1-under 143 and the big casualty was Darren Clarke, who shot 76 and then was disqualified for signing the wrong score on the last hole -- a four when he had made a five.

But on 2-over, Clarke was missing the cut anyway.

McDowell, two behind Fisher overnight, was pleased with another good round.

"There was no wind and I just tried to keep my foot on the pedal," McDowell said. "Twelve under is a great place to be going into the weekend. I'd take that anytime.

"I'm controlling my swing and controlling most aspects of my game. The key is I'm holing putts."

McDowell did miss a birdie putt of six feet on the last hole but he made most of the others that he faced.

Garcia, who shot 71 Thursday, was in a bunker and picked up his only bogey at the 4th after a perfect drive. He three-putted the 5th and missed the green from the middle of the fairway at six. But the Spaniard finished eagle-birdie with putts of 9 and 18 feet.

McGinley liked his recovery Friday, even though it left him five strokes off the lead.

"You can't win tournaments making mistakes like I did yesterday. I gave away three shots at the end of the round," he said.

Montgomerie is the holder of this title and was second in Paris last week, his best result in a year.

"To maintain that momentum was very important and I managed to do that," Montgomerie said. "But if I hole some putts, I have half a chance."

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