Ross Fisher is aiming to continue his fine record in the Nedbank Golf Challenge this week, having finished in the top five on each of his previous three appearances.
The 35 year old former Ryder Cup player was runner-up 12 months ago, four shots behind winner Danny Willett, adding to finishes of tied third on his debut in 2009 and tied fifth a year later.
The Gary Player Country Club in Sun City is a course that clearly suits Fisher, and he was relieved to be back in the field for this year’s edition after a strong finish to the 2015 campaign, notably taking tied third place in the lucrative WGC-HSBC Champions last month.
“It feels great to be back,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of fond memories from last year. I pushed Danny as much as I could but he was too good on the last day.
"Any time you can play in this event you know you’ve had a decent year.
Ross Fisher
"This is my fourth time back and I’m really looking forward to it.
“It was a great way to start last season. Then the middle part of the year was pretty disappointing – I was playing well but not getting the right results. Thankfully I managed to have a really nice finish, and with any luck I can start the new season well again this week.
“My form was decent, but us golfers always strive for perfection, and I’m always looking to be competing for and winning tournaments. I had a nice week off last week and did a couple of days’ work. Now I’m feeling fresh and raring to go.”
The last of Fisher’s five European Tour titles came in South Africa, in the 2014 Tshwane Open, and he is delighted to be back at a happy hunting ground.
“It’s a pleasure playing golf in South Africa and I’ve won here before. I’ve had really good results at this event in the past – the course really suits my game.
“The weather’s great and there’s so much to do away from the course and we’re treated like royalty at this event, so it’s just such a great week. It’s nice and relaxed, but at the same time everyone wants to win it, because if you win here you’re going to be top of the Race to Dubai for some time.”
