Fisher lines up helicopter for dash to baby's birth

A helicopter and a private jet remain on standby for Ross Fisher ahead of this week's Open Championship at Turnberry. Fisher was back in Scotland yesterday, two days after finishing eighth in the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, but remains poised to drop everything and fly to London to be with his wife, Jo, who is expecting their first child.

The initial due date for the birth was yesterday, but with no sign of the baby yet, Fisher was at Turnberry and awaiting further news.

"The primary thing is that everything happens safely," said Conor Ridge, Fisher's manager. "If he can have the bonus of the birth not happening until next week, with maybe a Claret Jug to take back as well, that would be great. We have all sorts of transport options lined up, including a chopper and jet at short notice."

Fisher has always said he will head south as soon as he is told the baby is coming. "It would be great to play and the ideal would be to two-putt to win next Sunday, make a short winner's speech and then fly home," said the 28-year-old, who finished fifth in the US Open at Bethpage last month.

"But there are plenty more Opens," Fisher added. "I will be straight out whatever day it is. It's something I don't want to miss and I'm sure it's something Jo doesn't want me to miss."