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Fisher resumes love affair with Portugal Masters

Cape Town - Oliver Fisher grabbed the second-round lead at the Portugal Masters on Friday, one year after achieving an incredible milestone at the same event.

It was in the second round of last season's event at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course that the Englishman carded the first 59 in European Tour history, successfully nailing a two-putt from 40 feet at the 18th to achieve the magical sub-60 score.

A year later, Fisher will take a one-shot lead into the weekend on 12 under par after shooting his second successive six-under 65 at the same course.

The stakes are much higher this time around, however, as the 31-year-old is currently battling for his European Tour survival.

Only the top 115 in the Race to Dubai Rankings are guaranteed to keep their cards for next season, and Fisher currently finds himself hovering near the cut-off line at 112th.

Two sparkling rounds to start off the week in Portugal, however, have done his cause no harm at all.

On Friday, Fisher had two bogeys on his card but also two eagles to go along with four birdies.

He made the first eagle after holing his second shot from just off the green at the par-4 second, while the second came after he hit a spectacular approach on the par-5 17th to five feet.

"The thing with golf is anything can happen, just as I proved last year," Fisher said after his round. "I’m on the same score as I was at this stage last year in this tournament. I shot 71-59 and this year I’ve shot two 65s.

"I’m pleased to hit 65, I’m looking forward to the weekend."

Fisher lies one shot clear of South Africa's Justin Walters (66) and South Korean Jeunghun Wang (65). The duo are also both in need of a good week on the Race to Dubai, with Wang currently lying in 119th place and Walters in 121st.

Another South African, Brandon Stone, follows a shot behind in fourth after a second straight 66.

In all, there are six South Africans in the top 10, with Haydn Porteous and Darren Fichardt sharing fifth place with England's Eddie Pepperell on nine under, a shot clear of George Coetzee and two clear of Dean Burmester and Frenchman Adrien Saddier.

Leading second round scores in the Portugal Masters at the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, Portugal on Friday (GBR/IRL unless stated, par 71 ):

130 - Oliver Fisher 65 65

131 - Jeunghun Wang (KOR) 66 65, Justin Walters (RSA) 65 66

132 - Brandon Stone (RSA) 66 66

133 - Haydn Porteous (RSA) 68 65, Eddie Pepperell 67 66, Darren Fichardt (RSA) 66 67

134 - George Coetzee (RSA) 69 65

135 - Tiago Cruz (POR) 69 66, Adrien Saddier (FRA) 67 68, Dean Burmester (RSA) 70 65, Jamie Donaldson 68 67, Jack Singh Brar 67 68, Tom Lewis 69 66, Louis De Jager (RSA) 63 72

136 - Steven Brown 69 67, Renato Paratore (ITA) 66 70, Pablo Larrazabal (ESP) 70 66

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