Ryo Staying in Japan Next Season


Japanese teenage sensation Ryo Ishikawa will continue to be based in Japan in 2011, despite efforts for him to play on the PGA Tour.

"Everyone around me is getting excited, but I haven't thought about it at all," Ishikawa said on Wednesday. "No interest," he said. "I want to do what I did this year."

The 19-year-old notched his third Japanese Golf Tour title last weekend, winning the Taiheiyo Masters by two strokes over Brendan Jones. Starting the final round tied with Hiroyuki Fujita, Ishikawa carded seven birdies and two bogeys for a closing 67 at Taiheiyo Club's Gotemba Course to finish 14-under par.

In 2010 Ishikawa came to the U.S. but failed to make the cut in the Masters and PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. He finished 27th in the British Open and 33rd in the U.S. Open.

Ishikawa's next event in Japan is the Dunlop Phoenix in Miyazaki. He trails Kyung-Tae Kim on the season's money list. Joining Ishikawa at Phoenix Country Club will be defending champion Edoardo Molinari of Italy and eight-time major winner Tom Watson of the U.S.

"I don't want to golf afraid," said Ishikawa, who has yet to win the Dunlop Phoenix. "When I'm on the course, I want to play like I'm out there practicing."