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An eight costs Ross Fisher dear

A calamitous quadruple-bogey eight at the fifth hole cost Ross Fisher the chance to clinch his first major victory at the British Open on Sunday.

The 28-year-old Briton sent the home crowd wild with delight when he birdied the first and second to take a two-shot lead at five under par early in the final round.

Ecstasy turned to agony for Fisher, however, as he plummeted down the leaderboard by dropping seven shots in five holes from the fourth.

“It’s a shame but I fought all the way,” the Englishman told reporters after a run of 10 consecutive pars from the ninth gave him a closing 75 and a share of 13th position on two-over 282.

“Just one bad swing cost me an eight … then later 10 pars in a row and I just couldn’t make a birdie.”

Fisher’s eight came after he zig-zagged his way down the par-four fifth after a poor drive into the rough.

“I tried to chip out and couldn’t get it out,” he said. “Then I tried to chip out again and it went straight across the other side of the fairway.

“From there I had no chance of getting the ball out and had to take a (penalty) drop. I hit a great sixth shot, almost got away with a seven but made an eight.”

Fisher, who also came agonisingly close to victory when he finished fifth at last month’s U.S. Open, said he nonetheless enjoyed the experience at Turnberry.

“I’ve tasted being the leader of the British Open so that’s pretty cool,” said the twice European Tour winner. “Unfortunately it didn’t last.”

Fisher’s pregnant wife Joanne was due to have the couple’s first baby last Tuesday and he said all week that he would withdraw from the championship if she went into labour.

“Hopefully Jo is fine and fingers crossed in the next couple of days I’ll become a dad,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to it.”