Rising English sons have scores to settle at Volvo China

An exciting trio of English young guns, whose names intertwine with one another, head to the US$2.2 million Volvo China Open next week looking to settle some old scores.

Ross Fisher, Oliver Fisher and Oliver Wilson have emerged within a growing band of talented players from Europe in recent times and know that victory at the Beijing CBD International Golf Club will cement their rising star status.

Fisher and Wilson, both 27, came close at the 2005 Volvo China Open when the event was staged at Shenzhen Golf Club. The powerful Fisher was the third round leader before settling for fourth place while Wilson lost in a play-off to compatriot Paul Casey.

The Wentworth-based Fisher will also return to China next week looking to slay his demons as he lost in extra time to American Phil Mickelson in the HSBC Champions in Shanghai last November. He led by two strokes in regulation play with one hole remaining but suffered a double bogey which proved decisive.

Still, much is expected from Fisher, who learnt the game at Wentworth Club after being introduced to it by his stepfather when he was three years old.

“I've pushed the world number two all the way. I finished ahead of some very high, top-quality players,” said Fisher, winner of the KLM Open last season.

Wilson has improved with each passing season since making his European Tour debut three years ago. The Englishman, who was 30th on the Order of Merit last season, has finished second on four other occasions and he is expected to barge through the door for a first career victory soon.

After his loss to Casey, Wilson was again beaten in a three-way play-off in India earlier in the year and was also second in the Deutsche Bank Players Championship of Europe and South African Airways Open last year.

His pedigree was further underlined when he played for the victorious Great Britain and Ireland team in the Seve Trophy.

The younger of the two Fishers has been touted as a future star since coming through the innovative Faldo Series, a programme run by six-time Major winner Nick Faldo with the aim of nurturing future champions of the game.

Fisher became the youngest player at the age of 16 to play in the Walker Cup team in 2005 when he was an amateur and in the following year, he became the youngest Briton to earn a European Tour card at Qualifying School.

Now 19, Fisher came close for a first career title when he was beaten in a play-off by Frenchman Thomas Levet at the recent Andalucia Open. However, the winner was complimentary of the vanquished.

“I think he is going to be the next Nick Faldo because his game is unbelievable. If he stays on Tour for another few years and keeps improving the way he has done, he will be at the level of Tiger, he is that good,” said Levet.

“He is a great player, he is powerful and precise and he has a great short game and is a good putter.”

The Volvo China Open will also see the leading stars from the Asian Tour competing in Beijing. Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Liang Wen-chong of China, current Merit leader Mark Brown of New Zealand, India’s S.S.P. Chowrasia, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and newly crowned Philippine Open champion Angelo Que will spearhead the region’s challenge.

Markus Brier of Austria will defend his crown next week while European Ryder Cup star David Howell, as well as Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell who recently won in Korea, will also head full speed to the Volvo China Open in search for glory.

April 9, 2008

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