RUTH REPLACES INJURED FISHER FOR ENGLAND INTERNATIONAL
Ross Fisher, who has a damaged wrist, has withdrawn from
the England team for this weekend’s international with
France at Royal St George's, Sandwich. James Ruth, who will
earn his first senior cap, will take his place.
Fisher, the 23 year old from the Wentworth club, has been
enjoying a highly successful season so the injury, which is
something of a mystery, has come at a bad time.
”I just don’t know how it happened,” said
Fisher. “I picked up a club on the 14th hole in the
final round of the Lytham Trophy on Sunday and felt a twinge.
I didn’t think anything of it at the time, finished
the round and drove home.”
”When I woke up on Monday the wrist didn’t feel
good and was a bit swollen. So I went to the physio at Wentworth
and she said a bone had come out of place. She gave me some
tablets and some exercises to do and I’m going to see
her again on Friday.”
"Hopefully I should be fine to play in the Brabazon
Trophy next week but it could take a couple of days to get
right or perhaps longer. I’m gutted that I have to miss
the chance of playing for England especially on a links course
as that would be good practice for the Brabazon.”
The big-hitter, who made his England debut in last July’s
European Men’s Team Championships in Holland, should
start among the favourites for the Brabazon. He was a member
of the winning Sherry Cup team in Spain, retained the Sunningdale
Foursomes with professional Simon Griffiths, recently captured
the Selborne and Hampshire Salvers and finished runner-up
in last weekend’s Lytham Trophy.
But while it is a blow for Fisher it is a bonus for Ruth,
the teenager from Tavistock. Like Fisher, he has also tasted
success this season, having won the Berkhamsted Trophy and
starred in the Devon county team.
”I was very surprised but very happy to get the call,”
said the 19 year old. “It will be my first senior cap
and I’m delighted. I’m playing really well and
looking forward to it. I’ve never played Royal St George’s,
in fact I’ve never been there, so it will be a completely
new experience.”
Ruth’s inclusion means that England will field four
new caps. The other newcomers are Adam Gee and Sam Osborne
from Surrey, and Suffolk's Jamie Moul. It will also mean that
England will field one of its youngest sides for some time,
as Fisher was the oldest member of the line-up.
Gary Wolstenholme, the most capped English player in history
and a member of five Walker Cup teams, is missing because
he has accepted an invitation to compete in the clashing British
Masters at Marriott Forest of Arden on the European Tour,
while the experienced Richard Walker is also absent.
Revised team: Lee Corfield (Burnham & Berrow), Adam Gee
(Leatherhead), James Heath (Coombe Wood), Gary Lockerbie (Penrith),
Jamie Moul (Stoke-by-Nayland), Sam Osborne (Wentworth), Matthew
Richardson (The Buckinghamshire), James Ruth (Tavistock),
Michael Skelton (Middlesbrough).
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