In conversation with Oliver Fisher

IF Oliver Fisher had a pound for every time he has been compared to Justin Rose in the past two months he would already be well on the way to gathering enough money to keep his European Tour card.

It's true that at the time of joining the paid ranks they were both young Englishman who had prospered at amateur level, made record-breaking Walker Cup debuts and turned professional to plenty of fanfare.

That is where the similarities end though and the fact they were very different specimens as they waved goodbye to the amateur scene is as much a reflection of the changing face of golf as it is of the individuals themselves.

When Rose decided to make golf his career it was in the wake of a sensational week the like of which we may never see again­ a teenaged amateur threatening to win the greatest prize in golf. On the back of his Open heroics at Birkdale, a life on he professional game was an obvious next step for the North Hants youngster.

We know now, of course, that it has taken several years for the South African-born player to really assert himself at golf's top table, having dined there briefly eight summers ago.

Hindsight may suggest that he would have been well served to remain amateur for a year or even two and further hone his game to the rigours of the European Tour. We'll never know for sure.

Fisher, meanwhile, has turned pro at an earlier age and, of course, without a top-five place in The Open to his name.

Every other detail, though, is in his favour in comparison to Rose as he attempts to change from Boy Wonder to tour champion.

His decision to leave the amateur game behind has been touted all year and was, if truth be told, subject to him merely picking up a major amateur title and contending in plenty of others. The St Andrews Links Trophy duly collected and worthy performances in numerous additional individual and team events achieved, Fisher made his call.

Even the lure of the Walker Cup at peerless Royal County Down in September was not enough to tempt him for another round on the amateur circuit.

But he left GBI behind and joined the professional scene thoroughly prepared for its rigours and examinations because the last five years of his life ­ at least ­ have been devoted to readying himself for that moment.

Whether being guided by his own father, the English Golf Union or England's greatest ever golfer, Fisher's has been an inexorable path to life as a touring professional. In his case, hindsight tells us merely that his ability to prosper in the paid ranks should not have been doubted.

Even before he struck his first ball as a European Tour player we should have known as much.

Companies such as IMG and Nike are rather like bookmakers; they rarely get it wrong. So when they threw their considerable weight behind the 18-year-old from Essex at the end of last year it was further confirmation that Fisher was the real deal.

The fact both companies play a key part in Tiger Woods' management is merely a coincidence. Fisher's signature was clearly not as coveted as Tiger's was back in 1996, but the parallels are there. Stronger ones, it could be argued, than between Fisher and Rose.

Just like Tiger, Fisher immediately prospered. Where a nervy opening round of 78 might have been expected, and understandable, he breezed round in 71 at the Dunhill Championship and easily made the weekend with a second-round 70.

Next up was the South African Open and there he did begin shakily, with a 77. A second-round 67 soon rectified that, though, as the youngster ended up tied for 40th. It was an ideal way to begin his professional career, something he has dreamt about almost since he first picked up a club.

"It's always been my dream to become a professional so this is the realisation of that dream, explained Fisher to NCG. "I know I've got a lot of work to do and I'm looking forward to it.

"Everything is exciting for me right now and I can't wait to get out and improve my game. I know I've got lots of practice ahead of me, although really, I've been a full-time player for a couple of years now.

"It's an exiting time and there's so much to look forward to. I am sure this is the right move for me.

"I just felt this was the time to take the next step and that's what I'm trying to do. I need to work hard and keep the support team around me."

Helping him do well will be the fact his father will be with him, quite literally, every step of the way.

Rupert Fisher will carry his son's bag for at least the start of his career and whatever anyone thinks about having a family member as a tour player's caddy it surely makes most sense for it to be the case for a teenage rookie.

Certainly Fisher would have it no other way and is delighted his dad has swapped his job at Spitalfields Market for the caddy shack of Europe.

"My dad will continue to caddy for me because if it ain't broke don't fix it. It's worked well so far so I don't see any reason to change it," he pronounced.

"It's great having him on my bag because he knows my game better than anyone and it's also nice to be able to talk to him as father and son.

"I'm confident of doing well but if things aren't going well at some point then I know I'll have dad there to help. It's nice to get on so well with him because not all sons and dads do, but we do and I'm very thankful for that."

It's not only his family who are right behind Fisher. Those in his corner'’range from the man who selected him as the youngest-ever GB&I Walker Cup player to a six-time Major champion.

Fisher was part of the Ryder Cup captain's Team Faldo operation for several years, shining brightly whenever tuition and learning gave way to competition. He's also leaning on advice from the greatest player ever to play the game. Oh, and he won the Duke of York's own junior event last year.

Talk about celebrity endorsement...

"It's amazing to have people like Peter McEvoy, who's a legend in the amateur game, and Nick Faldo ­ well, everyone knows what he's done in golf as a player winning Majors and for junior golfers ­ to say nice things about you," enthused Fisher.

"It's funny to read and hear the comments sometimes but it definitely gives you a confidence boost to think they rate your game.

"I've also played with Paul Casey through the Nike association, which was nice to do, and when I was at St Andrews last year I met Jack Nicklaus. I asked him a few questions about what I should do next and for some advice and he said "just go out and shoot the shot you want". It sounds simple and obvious but it's probably the best piece of advice I've been given and that's what I've been trying to do, follow Jack Nicklaus' advice."

Despite these rather incredible relationships, Fisher is a long way from getting ahead of himself. Indeed he is at pains to point out the contribution the amateur game and its bodies have made to his career.

"The last couple of years have been as an amateur but almost having a bit of a professional's life. It will be brilliant preparation for my first season on tour," he explained.

"I had the chance to go to college in America or stay as part of the EGU set-up and I choose to remain here. I think it was the right decision.

"The coaching and the advice that I have been given has been brilliant and I have learned so much from all the people at the EGU.

"To be given the chance to travel and play in different countries and conditions has been amazing and has given me a much wider golfing education that I would have had otherwise.

"I have played lots of different kinds of golf courses and in different countries and I feel that will help me a lot on the tour this season.

"That's down to the help and support the EGU has given me and I can't thank them enough for what they have done."

His fond memories of his fairly brief time as top amateur include a Walker Cup debut in which he displayed few nerves and plenty of talent. One long-iron approach to an elevated green in his Sunday singles match will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it.

Ask him if another crack at the cream of America's crop could have kept him in the amateur ranks and you can tell it was probably the only thing which nagged away at him as he signed his professional forms.

"The Walker Cup was a great experience and next year's event will be brilliant," he said. "With it being in Ireland there will be lots of spectators and everyone saw what the Irish crowds were like at the Ryder Cup.

"The course looks amazing and with Rory (McIlroy) playing there will be loads of Irish golf fans cheering GB&I on. If I hadn't got through Q School it would have been brilliant to play in it ­ if I had been selected.

"But I feel like I'd achieved a lot in the amateur game and the time was right to move on. I'm sure I've made the right decision."