Oliver Fisher already has bigger goals in sight after all but sealing a return to The European Tour next season with a fifth consecutive top ten finish at the Ballantine's Championship.
Fisher was regarded by many as a better prospect than Rory McIlroy during their amateur days, but while the Ulsterman forced his way into the world’s top ten earlier this year, Fisher was faced with a season on the Challenge Tour while also relying on invites to European Tour events after losing his playing rights at the end of 2009.
But after finishing tied fourth at Pinx Golf Club on Sunday, four shots behind runaway winner Marcus Fraser, the 21 year old has already exceeded the earnings figure which secured a European Tour card last season while also ensuring a place in this week's Open de España.
"I am close to getting my card for next season. I am playing in Spain and if I have a good week that will secure it for sure. At the start of the year I would have taken that," said the Madeira Islands Open BPI – Portugal runner-up. "It's been a good start, hopefully I can set some different goals now.
"If I have another good couple of weeks I can almost make the Race to Dubai. That will be the goal, see if I have a good week and then crack on from there."
Last year Fisher, who at 16 was the youngest player ever to play in the Walker Cup when he represented Great Britain and Ireland in Chicago, missed out by just over €30,000 after missing the cut at the last event of the regular season in Hong Kong.
Fisher then failed to advance through the Qualifying School – Final Stage, but has not looked back since posting an eighth place finish at the Avantha Masters in India after only making one cut in six events at the start of the season.
After a third place finish at the Kenya Open on the Challenge Tour, Fisher left a final day bid at the Madeira Islands Open BPI – Portugal just too late to finish a shot adrift of winner James Morrison.
That opened the door for a seventh place finish at the Volvo China Open before fortunately taking a place in the field last week after several players' travel plans were hit by the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud.
"It's happened a bit quicker than I expected, but I know I can play, I know the standard that I can play," added Fisher.
"It was a frustrating year for me last year, but it was just a matter of ploughing on and keep grinding it out and keep trying and not giving up. Hopefully it's starting to turn around, so I'm pleased."
