Fisher counting on good vibes

Fisher: Positives

I don't think the course owes me one. It was my fault I didn't win.

Ross Fisher
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Ross Fisher will be returning to a course that gives him plenty of happy memories when he tees of the HSBC Champions on Thursday.

The Sheshan Golf Club is where the Englishman almost won his biggest tournament to that time, eventually losing in a play-off to Phil Mickelson.

Fisher has since gone on to better things, and this week rose to a career-high 17th in the world rankings following his victory in the Volvo World Match Play.

And although a gruelling week in Spain has left him feeling jaded, Sheshan will provide all the inspiration he needs against the best players in the world.

"The game is in good shape, although I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tired," said Fisher, who is now fourth in the Race to Dubai.

"This week being a WGC makes it more special. This field is very, very strong and obviously for me to have fond memories of a couple of years ago doing so well and having a chance to win, it's just nice to be back in China.

"I don't think the course owes me one. It was my fault I didn't win. I should have won the tournament and I didn't. That's plain and simple. I had it in my own hands and unfortunately it wasn't meant to be that year.

"That was obviously disappointing, but I'll take a lot of positives and fond memories. I took on Mickelson on Saturday and Sunday and beat him over 36 holes of stroke play."

Positive

Defending champion Sergio Garcia left Sheshan 12 months ago ranked second in the world but now finds himself down in ninth after a disappointing season.

The Spaniard had little to show for the first half of the year but after finishing sixth in the BMW Championship and fourth at the Castello Masters at the end of last month, confidence appears to be returning to his game.

"On the performance side, it was probably a little disappointing year. But if I had to think about how I have matured and how I learned not only in golf but in life, I think it's been a very positive so you always have to look on the bright side," said Garcia.

"As a defending champion it brings confidence, it brings me good thoughts. It's a course where I have done well, so it's always a positive thing.

"There is no doubt you are thinking about defending your title. But if I didn't win last year, I would be standing here trying to win the title again so the main goal is still the same."