Ross Fisher admits he faces a difficult task defending the Tshwane Open on a Pretoria Country Club course that does not suit his natural game.
England’s Fisher landed his fifth European Tour title at Copperleaf Golf & Country Estate last year, but with the event having made the short switch from Centurion to Waterkloof, is unsure as to whether he will have any advantage once play begins on Thursday.
“It’s difficult to say that the memories will come flooding back, because I have a new caddie and it’s a different golf course, but it’s always nice to come back and defend a title,” said Fisher. “It’s only the fifth time I’ll be doing it, so I’m looking forward to the week ahead.
“It is very different to where I won last year. It’s a lot shorter and a lot more fiddly, with a lot of positional play off the tee, a lot of irons and not many drivers.
“We don’t generally play these types of golf courses. It’s very different and I would prefer to be on a long golf course that’s quite tight, because driving is my strength.
“It’s going to be different this week. Your wedges will have to be sharp and you’re going to have to get a hot putter, because I can imagine the scoring will be pretty good with some quality players here this week. I’m looking forward to the challenge and hopefully the game can live up to that.”
While Fisher’s previous exploits in the event may count for little this week, his current form will almost certainly aid the 34 year old’s cause.
Having started the season with a runner-up finish in the Nedbank Challenge – also on South African soil – a top-ten in Abu Dhabi and further solid showings have lifted Fisher to third on The Race to Dubai.
That form continued in last week’s WGC-Cadillac Championship, where despite a disappointing opening 78, Fisher was able to recover and finish in a share of 23rd place.
“My form has been good - very good,” he added. “Sun City was a great start and then the three weeks in the desert was pretty decent.
“Coming off the back of last week at Doral, coming back from my poor opening round, the game is in good shape. Hopefully I can bring my form from last week into this week here.”
One player at the opposite end of the form spectrum is Italy’s Matteo Manassero, who comes into the event on the back of four consecutive missed cuts to start 2015.
However, The European Tour’s youngest winner believes three weeks practice at home have him ready to recapture the sort of play that enabled him to win four titles by the age of 20.
“I was home for a while, because I needed to rest and practice,” said Manassero. “It’s great to be here - I think I chose a great week to come and play a bit of golf.
“My game is much better than the beginning of the year. These three weeks at home helped me to work on a few things; I think I’m in a better position and to put four competitive rounds would be really good this week.”
