Fisher fighting for U.S. Open place as he defends his Volvo Match Play title

Ross Fisher has an extra reason for wanting to play well in his defense of the Volvo World Match Play title this week -- it could save him from having to qualify for next month's U.S. Open.

After missing the cut in the Players Championship last Friday, Fisher dropped from 47th to 51st in the world, and unless he climbs back into the top 50 this weekend he faces 36 holes at Walton Heath a week from Monday.

Only two years ago, the 30-year-old Englishman was in contention with a few holes to go at Bethpage Black before slipping to fifth -- and last October, of course, he was part of Europe's winning Ryder Cup team. But his best finish in nine starts this year was only 10th in Dubai in February, and he is now in danger of paying the price.

"Obviously you set your standards very, very high and I'm no different to that," he said. "If I'm being honest, it's been disappointing so far -- not too many results to kind of jump around at. At the Masters I gave myself a chance on the weekend, but unfortunately just didn't quite pull it off."

He tied for 15th along with Rory McIlroy, 10 behind champion Charl Schwartzel.