Fisher content with year's catch

Dubai: Ross Fisher did not win the Dubai World Championship and ended up fourth in the Race to Dubai standings, but the Englishman summed up 2009 as a "successful year" where achieving his own personal goals was concerned.

Volvo World Match Play Championship winner Fisher shot a one-under-287 score over four rounds and was placed tied-42, as the Race to Dubai, which replaced the European Tour's Order of Merit, drew to a close on Jumeirah Golf Estates' Earth Course on Sunday.

However, looking back Fisher says 2009 has been a year which has "surpassed his expectations".

"When I sat and put my goals down for this year, I wanted to improve, finish higher up on the Race to Dubai, win again and progress in the World Rankings. And to do all four of those, it's obviously been a successful year; I would say it has probably surpassed my expectations," said Fisher, who turned 29 on Sunday.

Fisher enjoyed a great run in the Majors in 2009, finishing tied-30 at The Masters, tied-13 at The Open Championship, tied-19 at the PGA Championship and an incredible fifth at the US Open. And he said he felt flattered at times by what was written and said about him.

"The Majors this year have been tremendous. To finish the PGA and have that stat come up saying I was the best player in all four Majors over 16 rounds; I'm going to remember that for a long time. I was a bit frustrated throughout the year because I could have won a few Majors easily if I would have putted half-decent; I had really good chances.

"It was nice to win the Volvo World Match Play at my first go, though, so, overall it's been a pretty good year."

Fisher says he is looking forward to teaming up with countryman Ian Poulter for a joint bid at next week's Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China. He will then head to South Africa on holiday.

"It's not the end of it [season]. Still got to go next week and win the World Cup with Poults [Poulter]. He's playing very, very well and obviously he wins the same week as I won, so we're both playing pretty good," he added.

Interest in goal soars

Nakheel Leisure has reported strong interest in golf memberships for Jumeirah Golf Estates, which hosted the Dubai World Championship.

Sales were helped by an introductory offer during the Championship. Annual memberships were available for Dh32,000 per year as well as a special rate on debenture memberships.

Saeed Hareb, Managing Director of Nakheel Leisure, said: "The first two days of the Dubai World Championship have seen more than 22,000 visitors pass through the gates and golfers from Dubai and around the world want a chance to play on the new course.