Fisher jumps into lead

He carded 32 on the way out, and back, as a succession of birdies saw the Ryder Cup star instigate an all-English lockout of the top three positions, with Ian Poulter and world number one Lee Westwood second and third respectively.

“I’m obviously delighted. I wasn’t actually too sure what the course record was, so it would have been disappointing not to birdie the last,” the 30-year-old said.

“I was trying very hard to hole that for eight-under and it was just a very good day. I played pretty flawless golf, drove the ball lovely and didn’t miss many fairways.

“I don’t know how many greens I missed, if I did at all. I just feel a lot more comfortable this year on the greens. I feel like I’m reading them a lot better and I’ve got my line and pace very well. Today’s 64 kind of proved that.”

Fisher’s form here last year was seemingly undermined by having an outside chance of winning the Race to Dubai.

Now though, without that expectant pressure and with his immediate family in close attendance, he is relishing the task at hand. “This year, with having the whole family here, I just feel a little bit more relaxed. There’s not as much pressure as last year,” Fisher explained.

“I had a chance to win last year, albeit it was going to be very difficult, whereas – this year – 14^th going in, I’m maybe coming in with less expectations and trying to enjoy the week as it’s my penultimate week competitively of the year. It seems to be working so far.

“After the first two days, I’m very pleased and very excited for the weekend of golf coming up.”

Meanwhile, Fisher hopes Friday’s exploits might encourage his nearest and dearest to pay him a visit sometime soon at the Jumeirah Golf Estates.

“They haven’t actually come up to the course yet,” he added. “It is just a bit of a mission to get to from where we’re staying.

“They’re just enjoying a bit of sunshine by the pool and relaxing. After this round, they might come up and wander around in the heat on the weekend. Who knows?”

It’s exactly because of them too that the prospect of joining the US PGA Tour doesn’t appeal to Fisher, who has bought a house in the States to “have a base in a slightly warmer climate.”

“Not at the moment, what with just starting a family,” he replied when asked if he’d considered going for a card. “Maybe, down the line, I might perhaps take my card up.

“But, at the moment, myself, Jo and Eve, we are happy in Europe and that’s where I see my future for a long time.”