A golfer leading the Open Championship was prepared to bolt from the course if his heavily pregnant wife went into labour at home in Cheam.

Ross Fisher paid £41,000 to keep a Learjet plane on standby in Glasgow as he monitored the condition of Joanne, 23, by text message on Sunday.

The 28-year-old moved ahead with 16 holes to go but insisted he would abandon the £750,000 tournament in Turnberry to see his first baby born.

Despite eventually slipping to 13th place he was still offered a hero’s reception when he returned to Joanne’s side for more important business this week.

He said: “One bad swing put me in an awful lie and cost me the Open. When I got home Jo said well done, and we had a little cuddle before we collapsed into bed.

“Now I look forward to a feeling far greater than holding the Claret Jug – holding my first child.

“It has been a great week. I was leading the Open, which is pretty cool. And, in a couple of days I will be a dad, so it’s not bad is it?”

The child was due last Tuesday but, awaiting its late arrival, Joanne was able to watch her husband on TV in a pink top matching his attire.

She said: “I joked that if I went into labour on Sunday and he was in the lead I wouldn’t tell him. He was angry at the idea, so I promised to tell him.”

The moral dilemma divided commentators, with the Sky News presenter Kay Burley accusing a colleague of “staggering sexism” on air.

Burley, 39, berated sports reporter Nick Powell for suggesting that Joanne should deliver the child in secret if Ross was still in contention.

The Cheam pro, based at Wentworth golf club in Surrey, joined the European Tour in 2006 and has estimated career earnings of £3.23m.

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