U.S. Open: Hard yards paying off for Ross Fisher ahead of Major return

“It is validation of the hard work slowly starting to pay off."

After a four-year absence from the Major Championships, Ross Fisher returns to golf’s biggest stage this week for the 123rd U.S. Open.

The Englishman came through final qualifying at Walton Heath Golf Club last month to earn a prized spot in the field at The Los Angeles Country Club.

This will be his first Major Championship appearance since the 2019 US PGA Championship, sixth U.S. Open and 33rd in total as he approaches a third decade in the professional ranks.

“All professional golfers aspire to play in Major Championships,” said Fisher.

“It has been a few years since I played in one, so I am really excited to be back playing one.

“I have played in quite a few throughout my career. [But] I haven’t played one for four years which is a shame because Majors are really where you want to be.

“That is sometimes the way golf goes. Sometimes you get into the Majors and sometimes you don’t.

“It is validation of the hard work slowly starting to pay off. To qualify and get back into a Major in the U.S. Open makes me really excited.”

Since he turned professional in 2004, Fisher has enjoyed several memorable career milestones.

His first win on the DP World Tour, formerly known as the European Tour, came at the KLM Open in 2007 when he birdied the 18th to win by one stroke from Joost Luiten.

Four have since followed, the most recent of which came at the Tshwane Open in South Africa in 2014, but his appearance for the victorious European Ryder Cup team at Celtic Manor in 2010 will forever be something he will reflect on with great pride.

After a seven-event run of making cuts came to an end at the Porsche European Open earlier this month, the 42-year-old is eager to now put himself in contention to end his nine-year wait for another DP World Tour title.

“To make all these cuts in a row is good but now I need to kick on from that,” he said.

“It is not just about making cuts, it is about contending and trying to win tournaments because I haven’t won one for quite a few years.

“Trying to get myself back in the mix come late on Sunday would be nice.”

While he may not have lifted silverware in a while, Fisher can take plenty of encouragement from his showing at Walton Heath after rounds of 65-70 saw him qualify.

Initially one of seven to advance through Final Qualifying, first alternate Jordan Gumberg later earned a place via reallotment, bringing the number of players to eight.

“It was nice to play Walton Heath, shoot such good scores and know the work I am doing is on the right step to getting better,” he said. “That is what it is all about, getting better and more consistent.

“It was a fantastic day. I have been there quite a few times before, I managed to qualify in ’08 at Torrey Pines.

“Walton Heath is on my doorstep, ten minutes from where I live so I have played it many times. It is always tricky because there were quite a few players vying for only seven spots. You knew you needed to shoot two decent rounds.

“I got off to a really nice start in the morning. I left myself with not much to do in the afternoon, just to play some steady golf and to qualify I was delighted.”

Even with his experience of playing at Majors, Fisher admits there is something unique about competing at one of the sport’s four biggest tournaments.

And while California is well known for its golf, Los Angeles Country Club is hosting its first ever men’s Major this week – a challenge that excites Fisher.

“I will treat it like I have always treated Major Championships,” he added. “It is hard though; you feel like you want to treat it like a normal tournament, but it is very different.

“I will try to do enough preparation but not turn myself out. I probably won’t play 18 holes in practice.

“See if I need to get any golf clubs built specifically for that course. I have never played there, but have played around the corner at Riviera."

With a best-ever Major finish of fifth at the U.S. Open in 2009, Fisher now has the opportunity to draw from past experience and 'kick-on' from the strides he's made in his game as he makes his way back to the biggest stage.