Brody Fischer’s summer golf tour is packed with events and after shooting a -2 par 70 at the Air Capital Classic qualifier in Wichita, Kan., last Monday he’s headed into the heart of his schedule with plenty of confidence and consistency.
Fischer drained a 40-foot putt on the ninth hole to turn an average round into one of his best on tour.
“I was three over after seven holes and tried to stick it in,” Fischer said. “I sank a 40-foot eagle putt and got it going from there. I had a really solid back nine and finished with two birdies.”
Derek Chang, who has played in 12 PGA tour events, won the qualifier with a 68, just two strokes better than what Fischer carded.
Five others shot 69 and competed in a playoff to determine the other four golfers who qualified for the Air Capital Classic.
Just one stroke kept Fischer out of that playoff.
“There were a lot of good players out there,” Fischer said. “I didn't know the scores when I was out there. I went out there and played and when you get done you find out. I had a pretty good idea going in what the scores were going to be. With the wind and the way the course was playing I really thought I either won the thing or at least qualified, but there are good players all over. Everybody is grinding it out out there.”
Four of the other five qualifiers have combined to play in 31 PGA tour events.
“You want to qualify--that's the main goal--but it's also about putting up good numbers and going forward from there, so it was a solid round,” Fischer said. “I wasn't pressing anything or putting a ton of pressure on myself trying to fire at pins and hoping I make putts. I just let the round come to me and next thing you know I was a couple under and thinking, 'OK, let's finish this thing off.' I ended up birdy, birdy. It was a good day out there.”
That 40-foot putt midway through the round could be the spark Fischer needed to consistently finish near the top of the tournament standings.
“I hit the putt and as soon as I hit it I stood up and saw it was looking pretty good,” Fischer said. “It had a good pace on it and fell right into the bottom. I gave a nice little fist pump and walked a little taller to the 10th tee and birdied 10. That was a good 20-minute stretch there where it snapped me back into it and gave me some confidence to finish.”
Fischer was pleased with his round, especially considering he played so well in the hometown of his sponsor, Lifestyle Health Plans.
During his stay in Kansas City, Fischer spent some time with Lifestyle CEO Dan Whitney.
“Dan and his wife took me out to dinner after my practice round and he came out after work on Monday right after I was getting done,” Fischer said. “I got to talk to him about my round, which was really good. I told him I would have loved to have been in that playoff. It was good to play well in his hometown. That's where Lifestyle is based. It was good to have a solid round there and now I can build off of that.”
Fischer is back in action on June 19 as he’ll compete in St. Louis for the chance to compete in the 2017 Lincoln Land Charity Championship in Springfield, Ill., this weekend.
“I have some good vibes going forward,” Fischer said. “It's all about getting comfortable and getting into that comfort zone. I'll be pretty solid each week for the rest of the summer.”
Fischer landed an 8:00 a.m. tee time at The Quarry at Crystal Springs.
“Now starts the fun,” he said. “It's all fun, but now starts the real grind out there. I'm looking forward to it. I'm giving myself chances. That's what it's all about. I've got a full tournament schedule and I have to give myself chances and get hot at the right time. It's going to happen. Now more than ever I think that this gives me a little confidence seeing my name up near the top and knowing I can do it. You always want to get it done and missing it by one stroke, you kind of kick yourself but you also walk away smiling.”
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