[News]
WGC-Accenture Match Play Championships
[Tournament Date]
February 17 - 21, 2010

The Accenture Match Play Championships brings together the world's top 64 players to participate.
While Ryo was unfortunately unable to take part last year, he stepped up to the tee this year having ranked 34th worldwide.
Ryo successfully bested the likes of Michael Sim and Ross McGowan to place among the tournament's top 16.

WGC-Accenture Match Play Championships

[News]
AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
[Tournament Date]
February 11 - 14, 2010

Ryo may have missed the cut at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, but pulled off two consecutive birdies in the tournament's famed 6th and 7th holes, much to the delight of spectators.
He finished the tournament with 2 under, giving him a clear idea of what to expect when the U.S. Open takes place on the same course later this year.

AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

[News]
Northern Trust Open
[Tournament Date]
February 04 - 07, 2010

This year, Ryo made his second appearance in a row at the PGA Tour, coming off strong in the opener at the Northern Trust Open.
Despite less than favorable weather conditions, Ryo tied for 4th to make the cut, and finished the tournament tied for 32nd with 4 under.

Northern Trust Open

[News]
Golf Nippon Series JT Cup
[Tournament Date]
December.03 - 06, 2009

Ryo Ishikawa became the youngest player ever to crowned the money leader in the Japan Golf Tour. With four victories under his belt for this season's tour, the young pro has boosted his total winnings to over 180 million yen. Ishikawa, who had been vying for the crown with pro golfer Yuta Ikeda, emerged on top following the final match of the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup tour.

Given that the previous record holder for youngest money leader in the Japan Golf Tour was established back in 1973 by Masashi Ozaki at the age of 26, this performance by the considerably younger Ishikawa is no small feat. It naturally goes without saying that the 18 year-old Ishikawa is not only the first teenage money leader, but also the first high school student one. Such a performance at a young age is striking even when compared to major overseas tours. In fact, on the worldwide front, Ishikawa's newly-established record for youngest money winner has bested those previously set by Tiger Woods (US) in 1997 at the age of 21 in the US PGA Tour and by Seve Ballesteros (Spain) in 1976 at the age of 19 in the European Tour.

Through his participation in The Presidents Cup, Ishikawa has all but secured his appearance next year in The Open Championship for the second year running. Furthermore, now that Ishikawa has taken the winnings crown for the Japan tour, it is considered a given that he will be qualified to participate in US Open Championship, as well as be invited to play in The Masters Tournament and the PGA Championship.

At the awards ceremony for the Japan Golf Tour held on December 7th, the day after the tour's conclusion, Ishikawa was granted nine titles - more than any awarded to a single player in the tour's history - that included the Most Valuable Player Award. This served to be a spectacular cap-off to a fulfilling season for the young pro. Furthermore, Ishikawa promised that the upcoming 2010 season would hold even more in store, stating "I vow to work even harder than this season, and intend to continue giving it my all."

Golf Nippon Series JT Cup Ishikawa at the Japan Golf Tour awards ceremony

[News]
WGC-HSBC Champions
[Tournament Date]
November.05 - 08, 2009

Ryo Ishikawa, along with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and other prominent rivals from around the world, came together to compete in the "WGC-HSBC Champions" tournament. There, in the 1st round, Ishikawa finished 9-under to place 17th, the highest ranking achieved by him thus far in an overseas tournament.

Ishikawa, commenting that he "was able to play his brand of golf," expressed a sense of satisfaction with his performance. He also went on record saying that he "will aim to seize the winnings crown" through his play in the remaining four rounds.

WGC-HSBC Champions

[News]
The Presidents Cup
[Tournament Date]
October 9 - 12, 2009

Ryo Ishikawa got his first shot at appearing in The Presidents Cup after getting the nod from Greg Norman, the captain of the tournament's International Team. Ishikawa effectively maintained his presence even among the world's most elite golfers, going so far as to best Kenny Perry, ranked 6th in the world, in a singles match. He would end up tied for the most wins of any International Team player at three.

Even #1 world-ranked Tiger Woods exclaimed, "I've never seen an 18-year-old like this!" Ishikawa would satisfactorily look back on his week in The Presidents Cup as "an experience that built up into amazing memories that I will treasure."

The Presidents Cup

[Column]

Ryo Ishikawa has won four tounaments already this season, and since the beginning of the Japan Tour in April has by a mysterious twist of fate been triumphant in every tournament in which he played before taking a trip overseas.

True to form, with the Presidents Cup approaching next week, Ishikawa was victorious in the Coca-Cola Tokai Classic after a dead heat.

Mizuno Open Yomiuri Classic   1st Place
 → The Open
Sun Chlorella Classic   1st Place
 → PGA Championship
Fuji Sankei Classic   1st Place
 → Kolon Hana Bank Korea Open Golf Championship
Coca-Cola Tokai Classic   1st Place
 → The Presidents Cup

Sun Chlorella Classic Fujisankei Classic

[News]
Ishikawa heads the ranking in winnings after 3 mid-season victories
[Tournament Dates]
Sun Chlorella Classic: July 30 - Aug 2, 2009
Fujisankei Classic: September 3 - 6, 2009
Coca-Cola Tokai Classic: October 1 - 4, 2009

With two weeks remaining until PGA championship, Ishikawa shook off an in-range-and-closing Brendan Jones in the "Sun Chlorella Classic" held between July 30th and August 2nd to take his 2nd championship this season.

Furthermore, Ishikawa's participation in the "Fuji Sankei Classic" held between September 3rd and the 6th culminated in another victory, bring him to the top of the winnings ranking for the Japan Golf Tour.

In the "Coca-Cola Tokai Classic" held between October 1 and 4, a dead heat that made it hard to predict a clear winner ended with Ishikawa dominating the final hole with a miraculous second shot that brought him within 50 cm of the hole. This victory put Ishikawa's winnings over the 100 million-yen mark for the 2nd year in the row.

Coca-Cola Tokai Classic

[News]
Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Panasonic Open
[Tournament Date]
September 24 - 27, 2009

Ishikawa, who has a sponsor contract with Panasonic, headlined the "Asia-Pacific Open Gold Championship Panasonic Open" though appearing as a character on posters and spectator buses and otherwise serving as the face of the tournament as its hosting professional.

Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Panasonic Open

[News]
Kolon Hana Bank Korea Open Golf Championship
[Tournament Date]
September 10 - 13, 2009

Ishikawa used the free week of the Japan Tour to enter South Korea's national open, the "Kolon Hana Bank Korea Open Golf Championship." This would represent Ishikawa's first venture to South Korea as a professional.

Putting on a veritable show of Ishikawa-style play, he ended up tying for 15th place in the South Korean tournament, but the spectators on hand were nonetheless impressed.

Kolon Hana Bank Korea Open Golf Championship

[News]
PGA Championship
[Tournament Date]
August 13 - 16, 2009

The "PGA Championship" represents Ishikawa's 3rd participation in an major overseas tournament this season.
His being the youngest player ever to enter the tournament at 17 years and 11 months of age was prominently featured on the tournament's official website.
While Ishikawa struggled a bit on his approach shots and puts, his persistently aggressive play allowed him to tie for 62nd place and make it through the qualifying round, making him the youngest qualifying round winner in the tournament's history.

Ishikawa paired up with Phil Mickelson for a round on the final day

[News]
Mizuno Open Yomiuri Classic
[Tournament Date]
June 25 - 28, 2009
Chip-in eagle secures ticket to The Open Championship

At the Mizuno Open Yomiuri Classic on June 28, 2009, Ishikawa won his third Japan Tour event, earning him a place in The Open Championship.
On the final day of play, Ishikawa was in first place at 14 under, leading the field with impressive play. Upon completing the 11th hole, he had built up a five shot lead over the number two, and was pulling away from the field. But just as he seemed sure of a tournament win, he met with disaster at Hole 12. After striking two balls left out of bounds, he carded 9 on the hole with two putts, slashing his score by 5. At that point, he shared the top spot with David Smail and Kim Hyeon Seong.
Then, at the par-5 16th hole, with his second shot taking him deep into the rough to the right of the green, he sunk a dramatic 30 yard chip-in eagle! With a birdie at the final hole, he claimed his first win of the season three shots ahead of second-place.
Following on from the Masters and PGA Championship, and with his place in The Open Championship major now confirmed, Ishikawa was positive, saying, “I’m feeling confident in the run-up to the tournament, more so than for the Masters.” Just the attitude one would expect from a player whose skill just bought him a ticket to a major tournament.

Mizuno Open Yomiuri Classic

[News]
The Masters Tournament
[Tournament Date]
April 09 - 12, 2009
Ryo's first attempt to qualify for the Masters didn't go to plan, but he says "I'll be back!"

In his elementary school graduation essay, Ishikawa wrote of his dream to win the Masters in his twentieth year. In April 2009, as the second youngest ever player in the history of the tournament, the seventeen and a half year old Ishikawa finally set foot on the stage of his dreams, the Masters, at the Augusta National GC Course. He drew a lot of attention before the tournament began, attending an official press conference given by the Masters Committee, among other events.
The tournament began on April 9. Ryo began with 5 birdies and 6 bogeys, putting out at a passable one over in 51st place. With a qualifying place in his sights, Ryo battled hard on the second day, pulling out a double bogey on the 16th and 17th to finish six over. With the cutoff line at five over par, his qualifying chances came to an end.
With the tournament now at an end, Ishikawa said, “I want to make an even bigger effort over the next twelve months to be ready to come back next year. I want to put the fruits of my training to the test here,” showing his determination to have his revenge.

Press conference at the Masters

[News]

Ryo Ishikawa achieved his PGA Tour debut at the Northern Trust Open on February 19. He was the focus of intense media attention, not only in Japan, but in the United States, too.His opening words at the pre-game PGA joint press conference were “Hello, America. I’m Ryo Ishikawa from Japan.” He spoke to the numerous invited media representatives in English, without notes, expressing his gratitude, and his enthusiasm for the tournament. He asked, and answered, “How you pronounce my name? It is Ryo,” then repeated it, “Ryo! Ryo!” Knowing how difficult his name is to pronounce in English, Ryo Ishikawa reached out to the journalists by way of it, giving them an instant pronunciation lesson: “Repeat after me! Ryo.” Displaying admirable awareness of how a press conference should be handled, Ryo Ishikawa made a lasting impression and made himself a darling of the American media. As for how to pronounce “Ryo,” it’s difficult, because the sounds “r” and “y” aren’t found together in English. The best way to think of it is like the “Rio” of Rio de Janeiro, but with the stress on the second syllable “o” rather than the first syllable “ri”: “riOH”. That should help when cheering him on!

Press conference at Northern Trust Open

[News]

On January 27, 2009, Ryo Ishikawa held a news conference at the Panasonic Center Tokyo to announce that he had been invited to the 2009 Masters tournament. The Panasonic Center Tokyo was also where Ryo Ishikawa announced his desire to play overseas as a professional golfer exactly one year before. In the words of Takumi Kajisha, Managing Executive Officer at Panasonic and in charge of the company’s sponsorship of Ryo Ishikawa, “Ryo Ishikawa is achieving his dreams while absorbing knowledge of the game and improving his skills at a faster pace than we ever expected .

Ryo Ishikawa at his news conference showing his invitation to Masters 2009

[Snippet]
The Royal Trophy
[Tournament Date]
January 09 - 11, 2009

Ryo Ishikawa helped the Asia team win the Royal Trophy, which was held in January, 2009, in Thailand. He was very popular in Thailand as well and got the crowd very excited. Like Panasonic, there are many Japanese companies active in Thailand, and many Japanese there who gave their best cheering Ryo Ishikawa on.

The Royal Trophy

[News]
mynavi ABC Championship
[Tournament Date]
October 30 - November 02, 2008

In November, Ryo Ishikawa beat out Keiichiro Fukabori by one stroke, in come-back fashion, to win mynavi ABC championship for his second tour victory. He was so happy that he showed some tears during his interview. Ryo Ishikawa received a great round of applause from the gallery.Although his second shot at the 18th hole went into the lake, he recovered with a magnificent water shot to leave Fukabori, who had been catching up on him, behind. The water shot, with its sheet of spray, was without a doubt a highlight of Japan's 2008 golfing scene.

mynavi ABC Championship   Photo [ 1 ] [ 2 ]

[News]
Japan Open Golf Championship
[Tournament Date]
October 16 - 19, 2008

On October 19, at Japan Open Golf Championship, the tournament that decides Japan’s top golfer, Ryo Ishikawa took second place after the five-time prize winner, Shingo Katayama. Koga Golf Club where the tournament took place is among the handful of Japan’s most difficult courses. Ryo Ishikawa took his driver boldly to the narrow fairways, with excellent results. It was a tournament that proved Ryo Ishikawa to be a top class player not only in terms of popularity, but in ability, too.

Japan Open Golf Championship

[News]
Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open
[Tournament Date]
September 25 - 28, 2008

Ryo Ishikawa played an active role in Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open, which was held in late September, 2008, as the “face" of the tournament. As the only player sponsored by Panasonic, the official sponsor of the tournament, Ryo Ishikawa did a wonderful job as the tournament host despite the fact that he was only in his first year as a professional. Ryo Ishikawa participated in a variety of promotional activities such as appearing in TV commercials and newspaper ads and also participated in the festivities that were held on the eve of the tournament.

Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open

[Snippet]
Kansai Open Golf Championship
[Tournament Date]
August 21 - 24, 2008

In August, 2008, Ryo Ishikawa won Kansai Open for his first victory as a professional. He was the leader throughout the four days of the tournament. Ryo Ishikawa was full of joy as he held the large championship cup.The first four months of his first year as a professional had been marked by a succession of failures at qualifying tournaments, and the lack of expected results had caused him considerable anguish. Although not a Japan Golf Tour tournament, this victory planted in Ryo Ishikawa the seeds of a vigorous self-confidence.

Kansai Open Golf Championship

[Snippet]

This photo was taken on April 3, 2008 when Ryo Ishikawa made a surprise appearance (no advance notice) at the orientation program for that year’s new intake of employees at Panasonic.
"Just like all of you, this will be my first year. There are a lot of things that I don’t know and I have a lot to learn," Ryo Ishikawa said to the 400 new employees, “but I want to do my best and move forward one step at a time along with you guys.” Ryo Ishikawa received a big round of applause from his "team mates".

Ryo Ishikawa receiving some cheers form the new employees.

[Snippet]

This photo was taken on February 23, 2008 when Ryo Ishikawa visited Panasonic Center Tokyo, the Panasonic showroom, for the first time. Ryo Ishikawa visited the Broadcasting Station, an area inside the Panasonic Center with a video recording system, and tried some news reporting there.

The Broadcasting Station and Ryo Ishikawa

[Snippet]

This photo was taken in late January, 2008, while Ryo Ishikawa was on tour in Sydney, about three weeks after he turned pro. Ryo Ishikawa, seeing a lizard on the green, was filled with curiosity and took a picture with his cell phone. He always has the latest model of a Panasonic cell phone and uses it to update his official blog, which is popular among his fans.

Ryo Ishikawa and a lizard