Fisher out for further Czech glory

oliverfisher

The European Tour has not visited the Czech Republic since the 2011 Czech Open, but the Albatross Golf Resort in Prague will host a new tournament starting on Thursday.

Fisher has fond memories of playing in the country, having triumphed by two shots from Mikael Lundberg at the Czech Open three years ago and that remains his only European Tour win.

The Englishman has had a solid season on Tour, posting four top-10 finishes including a runners-up berth at the Africa Open where he lost to Thomas Aiken in a play-off, while he also tied fourth at last week's Made in Denmark tournament.

"It will be nice going back to the Czech Republic," he told the European Tour's official website. "A few of my friends are coming out for the week.

"Winning there in 2011 was great. It showed that I could win. That was the biggest thing for me - to show that I could do it. The win in the Czech was my first European Tour win and it will always be a great memory.

"It is in Prague this year so it will be a little different, and I don't know the course, but I'm looking forward to it."

Fisher will have to be at his best to triumph in a competitive field that includes Austria's Bernd Wiesberger, who just over a week ago partnered Rory McIlroy in the final round of the USA PGA Championship.

The 28-year-old could do nothing to prevent the Northern Irishman collecting his fourth major title, but he has taken plenty of positives from the experience.

"It was a really fun week," he commented.

"The Sunday was a bit disappointing obviously but it was still a great position to be in and I have a lot of stuff to take with me from that day. It was really nice."

The event could also have a bearing on the make-up of the European team for the upcoming Ryder Cup, with the Czech Masters the penultimate qualifying tournament before the biennial contest.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson currently qualifies via his position on the world points list and will look to solidify his standing, while the likes of Scotland's Stephen Gallacher and Dutchman Joost Luiten will hope victory can see them sneak into Paul McGinley's team.

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