VILAMOURA (Portugal): Briton’s Ross Fisher overcame a first tee injury scare to post a second round 67 for a ten under total of 132 to lead the Portugal Masters by three strokes on Friday.

The 31-year-old slipped as he made his way off the opening hole and was only able to continue with a strapping on his left foot after receiving physiotherapy treatment.

The scare failed to disrupt his game though as he sank a 22-foot eagle putt on the 17th.

Reflecting on the freak accident Fisher said: “I didn’t think anything of it at first and for two or three holes it was okay, but then it started to get really sore.

“The physio told me I was not doing any damage by playing on. It was uncomfortable for a while, I was feeling it again at the end and I’m just very relieved to get through.”

In joint second were Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher, who had shared the overnight lead with Fisher, and Bernd Wiesberger of Austria, after second rounds of 70 and 65 respectively.

One shot further back in a tie for fourth were Padraig Harrington and Fredrik Andersson Hed.

Fisher, who last won at the Irish Open in 2010, is aiming fror his fifth Tour success.

Among those missing the cut were Europe’s Ryder Cup winning captain Jose Maria Olazabal and Darren Clarke, one of the favourites to succeed the Spaniard at Gleneagles in 2014. — AFP

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