Britain's Ross Fisher improved his chances of securing a debut Ryder Cup spot when he grabbed control of the Irish Open Friday with a scintillating second round 10-under-par 61. The 29-year-old broke the Killarney club course record by three shots as he surged to 12-under 130, three strokes clear of the field. Last year's World Matchplay champion also threatened to record the first 59 on the European Tour as he ran up six successive birdies from the third hole and four in a row from the 11th. He fell short of the magic mark, however, after missing chances over the closing holes. “It was pretty flawless golf,” the Englishman told reporters. “After a solid start I caught fire. “It was a shame the run had to end on the ninth but then I got into another great patch. I gave myself four good looks at birdies at the last four holes but didn't make them and had to be satisfied with a 61.” Fisher improved his career-best round by two strokes and provided the platform for his fourth European Tour title. Victory Sunday would also move Fisher into Europe's nine automatic qualifying spots for this year's Ryder Cup, a place he could cement with good results at the WGC Invitational in Ohio and the US PGA Championship next month. Fisher's blistering round was the first he has played with new caddie Phil ‘Wobbly' Morbey, who was alongside Ian Woosnam for Ryder Cup matches and the Welshman's 1991 US Masters victory. Italy's Francesco Molinari drew up to second place with a 66. Molinari, who is hoping brother Edoardo can force his way into Europe's Ryder Cup team so they can reform their 2009 World Cup winning partnership, would virtually seal his place in Colin Montgomerie's team for Celtic Manor with victory in Ireland. Three-times major winner Padraig Harrington, just one of Europe's high profile players still not assured of a Ryder Cup place, carded a 67 to be in a large group in third place five strokes behind Fisher. A 68 also put tournament favorite Rory McIlroy in that pack. Darren Clarke (70) is a further stroke back. Tseng takes 4-shot lead Yani Tseng of Taiwan held a comfortable 4-shot lead at the midway point of the Women's British Open after shooting a second straight 4-under 68 Friday at Royal Birkdale. The two-time major winner mixed five birdies with a bogey for an 8-under total of 136 to lead a trio consisting of American duo Brittany Lincicome and Cristie Kerr and Amy Yang of South Korea. Rain washed over the course in the afternoon, making things difficult for the late starters – including defending champion Catriona Matthew of Scotland who missed the cut by seven strokes after making a 10 at the par-four 13th. Matthew finished with a 9-over 81 and a two-round total of 12-over 156. Matthew's tee shot at the 13th landed in a bush, and she then got into deep rough just off the green. After three attempts to get out she took a penalty drop, chipped onto the green and two-putted for 10. She then proceeded to get a birdie 2 at the short 14th – recording a rarely seen 10-2 score sequence. Kerr posted the lowest round of the tournament so far with a 67 to move to 4 under overall. Lincicome made up for her miss over the last four holes with a birdie at 15, an eagle 3 at 17 and a birdie at 18 to finish with 71. Veteran Julie Inkster carded a 2-under 70 in the afternoon for a 3-under total of 141, leaving her in a three-way tie for fifth. Inkster bogeyed the third but recovered with a birdie at the fourth, before picking up further birdies at the 15th and 17th. Suzann Pettersen of Norway shot a 68 to join Inkster on 3-under, alongside Sun Young Yoo of South Korea who had a level-par 72. Joint overnight leader Katherine Hull slipped back to 2 under after recording a 74.
