Congratulations to HSPSE student Oliver Fisher who completed a remarkable change of fortunes by holding off a succession of challengers to capture the Czech Open.
Six years after becoming the youngest Walker Cup player in history, the 22 year old Englishman carded a closing 69 to finish 13 under par at Prosper Golf Resort and win by two shots.
The feat was all the more impressive considering Fisher came into the week 224th in The Race to Dubai, and having missed 20 of his first 21 cuts this season, before finishing 35th in Sweden and 45th in Ireland last month to indicate some improvement.
He said: "Getting your first win is obviously special, but especially as I've struggled so far this season. My form has been horrific, but golf's a funny game. I went through a lot of different emotions out there today. I hit it well on the range this morning, so that gave me confidence. I played the front nine really well, then got a bit unlucky on the tenth. After that, the wheels started to fall off a little bit.
"I saw Mika Lundberg was on 12 under coming down the 14th, and 15 is a tricky par three with lots of water. So all sorts of things were going through my head at that stage. I hit the green, but then three-putted. So to sink birdie putts on 16 and 17 was huge, and then I played the 18th very well.
"I really enjoyed it out there today, and I've had a lot of fun this week. I've played well since Sweden, and played better every week since. I did a lot of good work back home in the two weeks before this event, and it's paid off. Hopefully this is the start of big things for me."
The work included a visit to the Harold Swash Putting School at based at Formby Hall Golf Club where Fisher spent some time with his Putting Coach Phil Kenyon. "Ollie regualrly comes up to the studio when he has chance, as well as the work we do out at tour events" commented Kenyon. "Im so pleased for him as he works so hard and his attitude has been fantastic all year despie not havin he results he wants. This now makes it 6 wins including one major for our pupils this year, which is obviously fantastic to be part off. Long may it continue"
The win moves Fisher inside the top 70 in The Race to Dubai, a remarkable achievement for a player who started the week in serious danger of losing his card. He now has a two-year exemption to take care of that.
