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Mr 59 has other numbers on his mind in Portugal
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Mr 59 has other numbers on his mind in Portugal

Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course will always be the place where Oliver Fisher made history with a 59 but he will be focused on a number almost double that at this week's Portugal Masters.

Oliver Fisher

The Englishman became the European Tour's Mr 59 in round two last season, registering the first sub-60 round in the Tour's history and forever writing his name in the golfing history books.

Fisher's history making 18 holes and tie for seventh in Vilamoura helped him finish comfortably in 73rd in the Race to Dubai Rankings Presented by Rolex but there is more pressure in 2019.

The Portugal Masters is back to hosting the final regular European Tour event of the season and Fisher enters the week at 112th, knowing that a top 115 finish will guarantee him his playing privileges for 2020.

Add into that a three week old baby at home and you could forgive Fisher for feeling the heat on the Algarve, but the 2011 Czech Open winner is taking it all in his stride.

"It’s always a course I like to come back to, we come back every year, it’s a nice week," he said. 

"Last year I had a great round on the Friday, but a mixed week apart from that.

"The previous years have been similar to this year - I need a decent enough week to secure my playing rights for next year. There’s a bit of an added pressure on it which means a lot. 

"There are mixed feelings in terms of what to expect and my own goals this week. 

"It’s nice to come back to a place where people are talking about something I’ve done. It’s nice to walk around and think I’ve hit some good shots around here and had some good rounds.

"My own expectations are to go out and do my best and enjoy that. My dad is out, a couple of friends too. 

"My wife can’t be here unfortunately, she’s just had a baby - they’re at home. I’m looking forward to a nice week to end the season and put my feet up a little bit.

"He’s just turned three weeks old today and I’ve been away for two weeks. It’s a bit of a shame but I can’t wait to get home.

"It’s a matter of trying to conserve my energy as best as I can, sleep as well as I can before I go back. Hopefully the golf won’t be that stressful and I can get the job done this week and finish the season well."

Another Englishman fighting to keep his playing privileges from three places below Fisher in the Race to Dubai Rankings Presented by Rolex is Lee Slattery.

The two time European Tour winner has seen and done it all before having lost his card by less than 100 euros in 2007, and he was philosophical on the Algarve.

"I've been in this position before a couple of times so I've kind of experienced it," he said. "I've come into this week quite relaxed really.

"I always think that good golf is the winner in the end, no matter where your ranking is at the end of the year - you have just got to play good golf and that's it.

"For a lot of the young lads that are in this position who have just got out here, it is more important. But it is such an enjoyable week and I'm just going to try and enjoy it - I've got my parents here. It's usually a relaxed week and I will try and keep it that way."

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