Japanese Teen Pro Ishikawa Going to the Masters
by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 23, 2009 10:40 AM EST
9 comments
Augusta National announced yesterday that the 17 year old Japanese pro golf sensation Ryo Ishikawa is getting a special invitation to play in the Masters in April.
Ishikawa, born September 17, 1991, will become the second youngest competitor ever in the Masters when the first round begins April 9 at 17 years, 6 months and 23 days. Tommy Jacobs, who played as an amateur in 1952, holds the record at 17 years, 1 month and 21 days.
If you don't know about Ishikawa, here's a bit of background:
Won the 2007 Munsingwear Open KSB Cup as a 15-year-old amateur, becoming the youngest champion ever on an Official World Golf Ranking recognized tour
After turning pro last year, he won the JGT’s mynavi ABC Championship in November, posted six additional top-five finishes in JGT events in 2008, and finished fifth on the 2008 JGT money list. He is currently ranked 60th in the Official World Golf Ranking.
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Good for him
he’s a deserving player with a LOT of game.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Jan 23, 2009 11:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
He's got my support
Amazing how Americans have tried to prop up golfers around this age to the big leagues and most haven’t done well. Ishikawa is bucking that trend a world away.
by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 23, 2009 11:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
it's so rare...
…for male golfers to be ready for the highest level of the game in their teenage years. I can only think of three that are solidly on the PGA Tour – Tiger, Phil, and Sergio – who were probably ready for the pressure in their teenage years. Two of them waited and gave themselves and their games time to mature. There is just too much to this game – especially on the men’s tour – for a teenager to succeed.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Jan 23, 2009 12:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Totally agree
Ty Tryon, Tadd Fujikawa (outside of Hawaii), and others form the Mt. Rushmore of golfers that tried to turn pro too soon. Perhaps add Nick Flanagan and Jason Day to that.
by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 23, 2009 12:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
hang on hang on
Ty Tryon ran into a lot of red tape after he got his card through Q-school, then he got sick with Mono. Nobody had ever really heard of him until he entered Q-school and got his card. He is climbing the ladder on mini-tours and the Nationwide Tour. Don’t count him out yet – he’ll probably never be a top 40 guy, but he’s not done.
Tadd Fujikawa is just 18 and has made two cuts…in the same tournament…but the guy put up a 63 on a fairly tough course and has really only been concentrating on the game for 3 years.
Jason Day just got to the big tour from the Nationwide Tour. He has had several good results on the big tour, and won on the Nationwide. LOTS of talent and still getting better.
Nick Flanagan was 21 when he hit the PGA and Nationwide Tours – he was pretty unheralded when he got started, but still shows up on leaderboards now and then. I don’t remember anybody ever saying he was going to be a huge star. Do you ? He’s going to make a decent living between the PGA and Nationwide Tours. He’s not a star, but he’s not a huge bust, either.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Jan 23, 2009 12:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't call any of these guys
total busts. And you pointed out the good reasons why. But, from the company that you mentioned of youngsters that did great right away, these four guys don’t fit that bill yet.
by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 23, 2009 3:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm with you there...
…and with the possible exception of Jason Day, I don’t expect any of them to get to the top of the golf world – but they should be able to make a good chunk of change. Day is easily the most talented of the four. I would love to see Fujikawa get good enough to make a Ryder Cup team one year. You’d have to pair him with one of the 6’4" or taller guys. :-)
Face it – the men’s game is incredibly deep and talented. A teenager just can’t go out and swing away and hope to have any sort of consistent results.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
by courtgolf on Jan 23, 2009 4:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Totally agree
That’s why the golfing prime is, what, 32? And in basketball it’s probably 27.
by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 23, 2009 4:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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