Fisher hits early trouble

The Volvo World Match Play champion had to finish first or second just to have a chance of finishing the season as Europe's number one.

But he ran up the only double bogey six of the day on the 454-yard opening hole and then had to work hard for a par five on the next. At two over he was already eight adrift of fellow Englishman Chris Wood, who with a 66 made a sparkling return after tearing ankle ligaments falling down some steps in Spain a month ago.

The 21-year-old, third at the Open in July, turned in 34 and then finished with four successive birdies.

It gave him a two-stroke lead over China's Liang Wen-chong, South African Thomas Aiken - they were both in the clubhouse - Padraig Harrington, Adam Scott, Retief Goosen and Camilo Villegas.

Fisher was over £388,000 behind money list leader Rory McIlroy, who saved par from a fairway bunker on the first and then birdied the second with a seven-foot putt.

The 58-strong field teed off in reverse "Race to Dubai" order, which meant 20-year-old McIlroy, trying to become the youngest Order of Merit winner since Seve Ballesteros in 1976, was paired with his closest challenger Lee Westwood.

The Worksop golfer, seeking to regain the crown he held in 2000, parred the first two holes, as did German Martin Kaymer playing alongside Fisher.

McIlroy will take the title regardless of how he plays if Westwood finishes outside the top seven, Kaymer the top four and Fisher the top two.

But with a first prize of nearly £745,000 McIlroy, Westwood and Kaymer all went into the event knowing that victory would also bring them a bonus of nearly £900,000.