Oliver Fisher
Encyclopedia
Oliver James Fisher is an English
professional golfer
who plays on the European Tour.
Fisher was born in Chingford
, London
. He was a winner of the Faldo Series, Nick Faldo
's development programme for young golfers, in 2003, 2004 and 2005 and as such was regarded as one of the best prospects of his generation. In 2005 he became the youngest player to take part in the Walker Cup
.
In late 2006, while still an amateur, Fisher entered the European Tour's qualifying school
. He finished fifth to become the youngest Briton to win a tour card and immediately turned professional. He made the cut at his first five European Tour events and ended the season just outside the top 100 on the 2007 Order of Merit to retain his card for 2008. A solid 2008 season which included a runner-up finish at the MAPFRE Open de Andalucía by Valle Romano, where he lost out in a playoff with Thomas Levet
, saw him finish in 51st place on the Order of Merit.
Fisher was coached from 9 years old until January 2009 by PGA Advanced Professional Chris Jenkins who is co-owner of Crowlands Heath Golf Club
.
The 2009 season proved a struggle for Fisher as he finished 125th on the Race To Dubai standings and therefore lost his European Tour Card, and failed to gain it back at qualifying school. Nevertheless Fisher received a number of starts and sponsors invites in 2010, and a run of 4 consecutive top ten finishes in the early part of the season gave Fisher the momentum to successfully re-establish himself and regain full playing rights for the 2011 season.
Fisher endured an horrific start to the 2011 season missing 20 of his first 21 cuts before back-to-back made cuts in Sweden at the Nordea Masters and the Irish Open
. In his very next tournament on the European Tour, Fisher won his maiden tour title at the Czech Open in August. He entered the final round tied for the lead and shot a closing 69 to win by two strokes from Mikael Lundberg
. Fisher had started the tournament way down at 224th on the Race to Dubai and was in danger of losing his card, but the victory earned him a two year tour exemption.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional golfer
Professional golfer
In golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose his or her amateur status. A golfer who has lost his or her amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated;...
who plays on the European Tour.
Fisher was born in Chingford
Chingford
Chingford is a district of north east London, bordering on Enfield and Edmonton to the west, Woodford to the east, Walthamstow and Stratford to the south and Essex to the north. It is situated northeast of Charing Cross and forms part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He was a winner of the Faldo Series, Nick Faldo
Nick Faldo
Sir Nicholas Alexander "Nick" Faldo, MBE is an English professional golfer on the European Tour who now mainly works as an on air golf analyst. Over his career, he has won six majors: three Open Championships and three Masters. He was ranked the World No...
's development programme for young golfers, in 2003, 2004 and 2005 and as such was regarded as one of the best prospects of his generation. In 2005 he became the youngest player to take part in the Walker Cup
Walker Cup
The Walker Cup is a golf trophy contested biennially in odd numbered years between teams comprising the leading amateur golfers of the United States and Great Britain and Ireland...
.
In late 2006, while still an amateur, Fisher entered the European Tour's qualifying school
Qualifying school
In professional golf the term qualifying school is used for the annual qualifying tournaments for leading golf tours such as the U.S. based PGA and LPGA Tours and the European Tour. A fixed number of players in the event win membership of the tour for the following season, otherwise known as a...
. He finished fifth to become the youngest Briton to win a tour card and immediately turned professional. He made the cut at his first five European Tour events and ended the season just outside the top 100 on the 2007 Order of Merit to retain his card for 2008. A solid 2008 season which included a runner-up finish at the MAPFRE Open de Andalucía by Valle Romano, where he lost out in a playoff with Thomas Levet
Thomas Levet
Thomas Levet is a French professional golfer who is a member of the European Tour and former member of the PGA Tour.Levet was born in Paris, France...
, saw him finish in 51st place on the Order of Merit.
Fisher was coached from 9 years old until January 2009 by PGA Advanced Professional Chris Jenkins who is co-owner of Crowlands Heath Golf Club
Crowlands Heath Golf Club
Crowlands Heath Golf Club is a golf course located in Chadwell Heath in London, United Kingdom.- The course :Crowlands' golf course is a 9-hole links style course. Because it is not a full 18-hole golf course, players have the option to play a 9-hole round, or play the course twice to complete 18...
.
The 2009 season proved a struggle for Fisher as he finished 125th on the Race To Dubai standings and therefore lost his European Tour Card, and failed to gain it back at qualifying school. Nevertheless Fisher received a number of starts and sponsors invites in 2010, and a run of 4 consecutive top ten finishes in the early part of the season gave Fisher the momentum to successfully re-establish himself and regain full playing rights for the 2011 season.
Fisher endured an horrific start to the 2011 season missing 20 of his first 21 cuts before back-to-back made cuts in Sweden at the Nordea Masters and the Irish Open
Irish Open (golf)
The Irish Open is a professional golf tournament on the European Tour, currently played at the end of July or early August each year. The event has been played in many locations on the island; its current home is the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club in County Kerry in southwestern Ireland...
. In his very next tournament on the European Tour, Fisher won his maiden tour title at the Czech Open in August. He entered the final round tied for the lead and shot a closing 69 to win by two strokes from Mikael Lundberg
Mikael Lundberg
Mikael Lundberg is a Swedish professional golfer who currently plays on the European Tour.Lundberg was born in Helsingborg, Sweden. He represented Sweden in the 1994 Eisenhower Trophy and turned professional in 1995...
. Fisher had started the tournament way down at 224th on the Race to Dubai and was in danger of losing his card, but the victory earned him a two year tour exemption.
European Tour wins (1)
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory | Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 Aug 2011 2011 European Tour The 2011 European Tour will be the third edition of the Race to Dubai and the 40th season of golf tournaments since the European Tour officially began in 1972.-Schedule:... |
Czech Open | 2 strokes |  Mikael LundbergMikael Lundberg Mikael Lundberg is a Swedish professional golfer who currently plays on the European Tour.Lundberg was born in Helsingborg, Sweden. He represented Sweden in the 1994 Eisenhower Trophy and turned professional in 1995... |
Team appearances
Amateur- Walker CupWalker CupThe Walker Cup is a golf trophy contested biennially in odd numbered years between teams comprising the leading amateur golfers of the United States and Great Britain and Ireland...
(representing Great Britain & Ireland): 20052005 Walker CupThe 40th Walker Cup Match was held between August 13 and August 14, 2005 at the Chicago Golf Club in Wheaton, Illinois, United States. Team United States won 12½ to 11½.-Format:... - Eisenhower TrophyEisenhower TrophyThe Eisenhower Trophy is a biennial world amateur team golf championship for men organized by the International Golf Federation. It is named for Dwight D. Eisenhower, the President of the United States when the tournament was first played, who was a keen amateur golfer. Recent tournaments have...
(representing England): 2006 - St Andrews TrophySt Andrews TrophyThe St Andrews Trophy is a biennial men's team golf tournament contested between teams of amateur golfers representing Great Britain & Ireland and Continental Europe. It takes its name from St Andrews in Scotland, which is colloquially known as the "Home of Golf". The competition was founded in...
(representing Great Britain & Ireland): 2006 (winners) - Bonallack TrophyBonallack TrophyThe Bonallack Trophy is an amateur golf competition on the model of the Ryder Cup which opposes every two years a European team and a team representing Asia/Pacific. The venue alternates between courses in Europe and Asia/Pacific...
(representing Europe): 2006 (winners)