Britain's Ross Fisher, who contemplated pulling out of the European Open at the start of the week, banished any thoughts of fatigue to gallop to a seven-shot victory in Sunday's final round. The 27-year-old clinched his second tour win with a 68 for a 20-under-par total of 268 on a wet and windy day at the London Club, rounding off the tournament in memorable style by holing out from a greenside bunker for a closing birdie at the 18th. World number eight Sergio Garcia took second place after defying the elements with a sparkling, best-of-the-day 66. “To beat a star-studded field like this is really pleasing,” Fisher told Sky television. “It may have looked easy but it certainly wasn't. I felt really calm all day, really composed and to finish with a bunker shot like that was delightful.” Garcia's seven-birdie effort earned a total of 275 in his last competitive outing ahead of the British Open at Royal Birkdale in two weeks' time. McDowell (73) was third on 276 on a miserable day for scoring at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Heritage course. South African David Frost, 48, attempting to become the tour's oldest winner, carded a 71 for 277 to finish fourth and secure an exemption for the British Open. The day's worst rounds belonged to twice European Tour winner Richard Green of Australia and Austrian Martin Wiegele who ballooned to 11-over 83s. Colin Montgomerie's title defence ended disappointingly as he slid to a 77 for 287, one under. Pernice takes lead American Tom Pernice held off a late charge by compatriot Steve Stricker to secure a one-shot lead after the third round of the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club on Saturday. The 48-year-old Pernice, bidding for his third career title, fired a one-under-par 69 to go 10-under after three rounds on a hot and humid day in suburban Washington, D.C. Pernice shot a seven-under 63 during the second round but while he played solidly on Saturday, much of the magic was missing. He had only two birdies and one bogey. Pernice jockeyed for the lead with Stricker before the soft-spoken Californian birdied the 437-yard par-four 17th to take a one-stroke lead heading into Sunday's final round. The 41-year-old Stricker moved into a good position to challenge for victory with a sizzling four-under 66 on the challenging 7,255-yard course, site of the 2011 US Open. Just behind Stricker on the leaderboard are Americans Tommy Armour III, Jeff Overton and Australian Nick O'Hern, all at eight-under. Holder K.J. Choi shot a one-over 71 for the day and was at even-par for the tournament, while US Open runner-up Rocco Mediate carded a 67 but was eight shots off the pace.
