Whilst there is no tournament for the European Tour this week, Oliver remains in Dubai with coach Chris Jenkins practicing ahead of the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpar which commences on 12th February.
CNN have interviewed Oliver for their “Living Golf” show (see below for times)
Says CNN “20-year-old Oliver Fisher has been regarded as a hot prospect in the golfing community ever since Nick Faldo nurtured him in his early teenage years. Now a professional on the European Tour, Fisher is considered to be one of Europe’s top hopes for the future”
Oliver Fisher's early days
Chatting with Ollie’s father, Rupert; “From the time he was two or three and started picking up plastic golf clubs he always had a very natural golf swing, so it was very easy to develop from that stage with proper coaching,” he told CNN.
It’s true that Ollie’s parents have showed tremendous support for his golf career, Rupert even spent the first season on tour with young Oliver as his caddie.
It was Rupert who introduced Oliver to the sport at a very young age, swinging a club for the first time aged just two, and joining his local golf club at the age of eight, within 12 months of that he met Chris Jenkins who remains his coach to this day.
“Guys of Ollie’s age have learnt so much from the Tiger era,” Rupert Fisher continued. “When you look at players like Tiger, he is the ultimate role model and you can only try to do what they do.”
Making the leap from amateur to pro can be a difficult step. As Rupert put it, “natural talent just won’t get you there.”
“It’s totally different from an amateur, because the season as a professional is a lot longer,” Oliver said. “I definitely work as hard as a pro as I did when I was an amateur, just for the fact that I’ve got more time to work at. It is better though, and I like it.”
Since gaining the winning score in Andulucia almost a year ago, and missing out in a playoff with Thomas Levet, the win still eludes Oliver.
Levet told reporters following the playoff: “He’s one of the best guys I’ve played with, including Tiger Woods and Nick Faldo.” Sky Sports golf expert Tim Barter said: “He is a young man who has got the whole package… and he will win golf tournaments.” Fisher’s coach Chris Jenkins told Sky Sports News: “I really do believe he can compete with Tiger and become world number one.”
“If I keep improving on the way I am hopefully I can be in the top 50 in the world and competing for Majors and winning tournaments in the next year or so.” said Oliver.
Watch CNN’s Living Golf in February :
ALL TIMES GMT
Thursday, February 5: 1400, 1830
Saturday, February 7: 0800, 1830
Sunday, February 8: 0400, 0830, 1430
