This week, just days on from competing in his eighth Open Championship, the South African tees it up at the ISPS HANDA Senior Open for the first time.
A five-time winner on the DP World Tour, Fichardt is still competing on golf’s global tour but since turning 50 in May, he has jumped straight at the chance to also play on the seniors stage.
On his Legends Tour debut in the OFX Irish Legends at Mount Juliet in May, he finished in a tie for second behind countryman James Kingston, before impressing again a week later as he finished eighth on his Senior Major debut at the Senior PGA Championship.
Despite the hectic schedule that playing on both tours creates, Fichardt is full of enthusiasm for this shift in his career.
“It’s an exciting transition,” he said. “I have the DP World Tour and I’m, of course, still trying to skin that cat.
“As the seniors game goes, it’s been a breath of fresh air so far. Busy, but I’ve absolutely loved it.”
In his 29th DP World Tour campaign, the veteran continues to hold his own despite the pool of young international talent – highlighted by his tie for fourth at the Investec South African Open Championship to seal a coveted spot at The Open.
While he has only made fleeting appearances elsewhere, he made that choice in the knowledge that a move to seniors golf was fast approaching.
“I said to myself that I was not going to play a lot, instead keep myself fresh for when I do turn 50 because I know I am going to be back and forth between DP World Tour and seniors, playing back-to-back for several weeks so it is going to be busy,” said Fichardt, who is this week playing competitively for the fifth week in a row.
“I haven’t played too many DP World Tour events [this season], but I am getting into it now.”
Wherever possible, Fichardt intends to play predominantly on the DP World Tour during the closing months of the season in a bid to retain his full playing privileges.
“From the British Masters, I will likely play all the way through to Korea, so I am going to push hard for that and keep my card,” he said.
“It has definitely been beneficial to stay competitive, ahead of going into seniors golf, so I am fortunate to be in that position.”
While he may have missed the cut in Northern Ireland, he is feeling confident in his chances of mounting a title challenge as he switches from links to heathland golf.
“I’m playing my butt off basically and working hard,” added Fichardt, who is bidding to become the first South African to win the Senior Open since Gary Player in 1992.
“Playing out on the regular tour, I am pushing hard all the time, because it is getting a little tougher to compete with those guys.
“Coming out here, I don’t think I need to push as hard and be as critical on my game.
“I hit it a certain distance because of my age, but out here I would say I am probably one of the longest hitters.
“It is a different transition, it is a different mindset, trying not to hit it as hard and play the game that I am able to play.”
He is aided by having his son, Ethan, who is studying stateside and harbours ambitions of a professional career in golf, on his bag this week.
“My son caddied for me last year at The Open and we did OK, finished 12th together at Dunhill Links,” he said.
“He came out last week, unfortunately the weather wasn’t kind to our side of the draw, but I felt it was a decent week. He is a really good line reader, so I brought him in to figure out the lines and we go from there.”
Sunningdale is hosting Europe’s only senior major for the fourth time this week, and the Old Course is one that Fichardt holds in high regard, with this his first appearance at the venue in a 72-hole tournament.
“The golf course is probably one of the most beautiful walks in golf,” he said.
“We often talk about the beauty of it. Last year, I was first reserve for the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, and I didn’t get in.
“So, I came in and played with a few of the members and it always takes my breath away.
“It’s a tough golf course. If you can position yourself well off the tee, and figure out the greens, you can have a really good week. It tests all facets of the game.”
