Austin, TX …
Ross Fisher’s thrilled to have played his part in Masters golfing history ensuring a record-setting 11 England-born players will tee-up this year at Augusta National.
It will be the most number of non-American born golfers from the one country to compete in the 83-year history of the Masters.
Fisher’s fate also in ending a five-year Masters absence was confirmed after Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen was comprehensively beaten 7 & 5 in his WGC – Dell Match-Play quarter-final match by Spain’s Jon Rahm.
Ross Fisher on route to holing his bunker shot at 15 to defeat Bubba Watson in round 4 of the 2017 WGC – Dell Match-Play Championship. (Photo – European Tour/Getty)
Fisher arrived in the Texas capital ranked No. 53 in the world and with Kjeldsen being eliminated it will ensure Fisher will advance inside the top-50 on the World Rankings and qualify via the last of the World Ranking cut-off points into the 2017 Masters.
The 36-year old Fisher’s impressive run in the $US 9.75m event had ended with a 4 & 2 quarter-final defeat at the hands of Japan’s Hideto Tanihara.
Earlier on Saturday, Fisher stormed into the last eight with a stunning victory over double Augusta winning Bubba Watson.
The Cheam golfer left Watson speechless in holing a brilliant 15th hole bunker shot for birdie in a convincing 4 & 3 win.
And despite losing to Tanihara, Fisher was delighted to now be remaining in the States ahead of teeing-up in the April 6thstarting Masters and for a first occasion since 2012.
“While it’s been five years since I last played the Masters, you never give up on that goal of driving back down Magnolia Lane,” he said.
“I’ve been in touch with my wife, Jo and we’ve agreed I stay over here this week so I will head over to Florida and practice this week at Lake Nona before heading up to Augusta next Saturday.
“In that way I can hopefully secure one of the best Par Three Contest tee times. It’s going to be a dream come true for my two children, Harry and Eve as they can caddie for me.
“I’ve played there obviously before when they were still too young, but now they are aged seven and five and it will be a truly memorable week for them both.”
Fisher now joins the biggest England and non-US contingent since a year ago when there was eight England players competing in the new season’s traditional first Major.
“I’m just glad to now have played my part in history,” said Fisher.
“My goal at the start of the week had been was to try and win the Match-Play but then also try and put the Masters in the back of my mind.
“So, I’m just pleased to be playing again in the Masters.”
However Fisher’s quarter-final defeat and the loss in the fourth round by Paul Casey eliminated them both from the Match-Play.
Sunday morning’s (US time) semi-final will see World No. 1 Dustin Johnson take on Tanihara while Spanish sensation Jon Rahm will play Bill Haas and the two winners to progress to the $US 1.6m first prize cheque final decider.
Johnson defeated Sweden’s Alex Noren 3 & 2 in their match and with Noren fighting back with three birdies in succession to have Johnson all-square through 12 holes, and the first time he’s been seriously challenged since he teed off in any of his matches.
However Johnson silenced the Swede’s challenge with three birdies over the four holes.
And when asked what makes him such a difficult opponent Johnson remarked: “I’m playing good golf right now. That’s one thing, I like this golf course. I feel it suits my game pretty well. I’ve got a good feel for it. I also make a lot of birdies.”
