Oli Fisher: One milestone at a time

Oli Fisher has set plenty of age-related milestones. Two weeks ago, he discreetly ticked off another as the youngest player to reach 400 events in European Tour history.

One milestone at a time, Oli Fisher is quietly, but assuredly, making history on the European Tour.

Fisher is likely best known for the historic moment that saw him become the first player to record a 59 on the European Tour, which he achieved during the second round of the Portugal Masters in 2018.

Until that day there had previously been 19 rounds of 60 recorded, but the Englishman ended a run of 46 years and over 690,000 rounds on Tour with ten birdies and an eagle for a bogey-free 12 under par 59 at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura.

It was an achievement well-worthy of the history books, but far from the only one he’s experienced throughout his career.

Back in 2005, at the age of 16, Fisher became the youngest player to compete in the Walker Cup, and since then age has become something of a discerning factor in his professional career too.

Tipped for success from an early age, Fisher entered Qualifying School in 2006 as an amateur, and turned professional immediately after a fifth place finish saw him become the youngest Briton to win a Tour card.

It wouldn’t be his only trip back to Qualifying School throughout the years, but invites and top tens assured enough playing privileges – and in 2011 he won his only title so far at the Czech Masters.

Yet while at times it has been tumultuous, Fisher has still forged career milestones along the way, becoming the youngest player to reach 200, and then 300, events on the European Tour. And just over two weeks ago, he discreetly ticked off another age-related record.

At 32 years old, Fisher became the youngest player to reach 400 events when he teed it up at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club for the recent Saudi International Powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers.

So just how impressive is reaching that number at the age of 32?

To put it into context, Miguel Ángel Jiménez– who broke the career appearance record at last year’s Hero Open with his 707th event – was 41 when he reached 400 events. Sam Torrance, whose previous record of 706 events was overtaken by the Spaniard (who is now at 712), was 37 years old.

In total, 104 players have reached this particular milestone in European Tour history, with Fisher overtaking the previous record set by Peter Baker in 2001, who was 33 years old at the time.

A further 63 players have reached 500 events, thirteen have passed the 600-event marker, and just two of that number - Jiménez and Torrance – have made it past 700.

And while those numbers are still a while off for Fisher, he has plenty of time on his side to target a new milestone.

The youngest players to reach 400 events