CM – With the help of his superwoman, Zack Fischer is aiming for another medal in the final phase, 8 years after the first

SAVANNAH, Georgia – When it comes to the final leg of the Korn Ferry Tour Q-School, Zack Fischer has some experience.

« I was the original, the first, » said Fischer, who attended the 2013 Final Stage, the first edition of the new Q-School format that did not have PGA Tour tickets, won a medal. It was a year that produced eventual tour winners Justin Thomas, Tony Finau, Daniel Berger, Max Homa, Si Woo Kim, Carlos Ortiz and Nick Taylor. Fischer shot 31 under in six rounds and beat them all.

« It doesn’t seem that long ago before I look at the pictures and think: man, who was this young guy? » Said Fischer. « I feel like I’ve grown a lot since then. »

Fresh from opening 3 under 67 on The Landings Club’s Magnolia course, the tougher of the two Q-School layouts this week, Fischer reflects , now 32, the past eight years. He played the Korn Ferry Tour for four seasons in a row for over $ 300,000 total in prize money before losing his momentum and card in 2017. Since then he has only logged four events, none this year, but he weathered the storm and kept playing on tour.

« I have a great wife, » he replied. « She really supported me in the worst of times. »

Fischer calls his seven-year-old wife Kaitlin « unique ». The couple celebrated the birth of their first child, daughter Hallie, last February, and Kaitlin has not only served as a housewife, but has also worked as a graphic designer and wedding videographer while taking classes with a court reporter.

“Honestly knows I don’t like the way she always supports me, ”said Fischer. « There have been some pretty tough times because golf can literally put you in a rubber room and make you a miserable person, and she’s just there all the time and loves me all the time – that’s another job she has. »

Fischer needed this support most urgently earlier this year when he opened an All Pro Tour event in his hometown of Texarkana, Texas in 78.

« It was a real meltdown, » said Fischer. “I quickly realized that my mental side was not where it should be.”

By concentrating more on his beliefs and lowering his expectations, Fischer made progress upwards. Three months later, in the second grade of Q-School in Dothan, Alabama, he suffered several blows, but remained unshaken.

First came the sinus infection; Fischer suggested Theraflu to relieve the congestion and dizziness. Then his driver cracked on the third round and he had to play the final round with a replacement from the shelf of a local golf shop. To even out the pulls, Fischer closed in 64 to advance with two shots.

Now he’s back in the final stages, with another chance to achieve full KFT status and change his career. His 67 was tied for the best lap on Magnolia Thursday, and he was four times behind leading Jonathan Brightwell, a young Oklahoma star.

« It was a great blessing to come and it would mean the world if I could get guaranteed starts, « said Fischer. « I’ve got off to a good start. »

BY Max Schreiber

FROM Golf Channel Digital

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