Ryo Ishikawa › Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

REUTERS/Jeff Haynes

Wednesday 12th August, 07:51 AM JST

Ryo Ishikawa signs autographs for fans following his practice round for the 2009 PGA Championship golf tournament at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, on Tuesday.

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Latest 15 of 16 Total Comments Show All

wanderlust at 08:51 AM JST - 12th August

He'd better win something soon, or those will be the last autographs he gives out, other than to guests of his marketing company at exclusive tournaments in Japanese country clubs...
biglittleman at 09:52 AM JST - 12th August

As long as he continue to be popular at Japanese tournaments he will be around for a longtime. The Japanese media really don't expect him to win anything overseas. He is young and cute that is all that matters.
bobbafett at 10:21 AM JST - 12th August

not wearing pink today Ryo?
sn00z3 at 11:28 AM JST - 12th August

not wearing pink today Ryo?

there is! look on his right arm, a pink line.
bobbafett at 01:14 PM JST - 12th August

so there is LOL
frontandcentre at 01:30 PM JST - 12th August

I'm already tired of seeing his face on posters, and he's won the square root of b*gger all in serious golf tournaments so far.

Every time I see those ANA adverts, I thank myself he's driving golf balls and not flying planes.
dishdash at 01:48 PM JST - 12th August

He models himself on Ian Poulter but at least the guy has won something...yeah he'll still be popular in Japan like Jumbo Ozaki....I'd mint it if I could as well so good luck to him.
biglittleman at 01:53 PM JST - 12th August

How can a foreigner get started on the Japanese circuit? Hypothetically?
Bento at 05:05 PM JST - 12th August

ishikawa is 17 poulter is 33..
isthistheend at 08:05 PM JST - 12th August

Hypothetically, you have to be good. Like shoot what they call + nowadays. That means you are at least 2 better than par, from the back tees, at difficult courses. Then you have to win regional amateur tournaments, and after that you can think about qualifying for the japanese circuit by entering their annual Q-school tournament held in Kyushu in December. On a relavant note, I know a Japanese professional (late 20's) tall and handsome like Ishikawa-san, who tried to play a few tournaments on the Nike tour in USA. After just a few weeks, he realized there was NO WAY he'd ever be able to compete with the depth of players in the USA, and he high-tailed it back to being a teaching pro at one of the ranges here, while he tries now for the 3rd time to place in the top 50 of J'S-Q-school tournament this December. So as much as we might pooh-pooh Ishikawa Ryo for not having what it takes to make it big on the REAL stage of International play, let's give him at least 5-10 more years to develop his talent as an adult player before we write him off into the land of has-beens. Good Luck Ryo, and those that he's inspiring in the new generation. Go to the country side ranges here in Japan and you'll be amazed at how long they practice, and how many good players there seem to be.
isthistheend at 10:18 PM JST - 12th August

Hypothetically? Oh, you mean how would foreigners come over here and qualify like Brendan Jones etc? They can either receive an invitation from the JPGA for performance to date, or they can do the above qualifying circuit, ie. qualifying in Japan by winning at a certain authorized tournaments, the Qualifing School in Kyushu in December being one.
biglittleman at 11:08 PM JST - 12th August

isthistheend,

Thanks!!! That was really informative.
bobbafett at 12:45 AM JST - 13th August

isthistheend,

That was real informative. Now, how does one get good enough at golf to qualify? Is wearing pink the answer? It does wonders for Ryo.
Smythe at 06:25 AM JST - 13th August

Photo shows him with a lot of muscle in the right arm to also a strong wrist & probaly larger then average Jpn people. So he does good in Jpn & is liked by others which is good for the sport along with him. Good photo of a young golfer that is liked by many in his home country.
biglittleman at 12:00 PM JST - 13th August

His physique is quite average. His arm doesn't look muscular at all. I have seen junior high school kids here in Japan with more definition and muscle.