15 year Ryo Ishikawa becomes youngest ever winner on Japan Tour

High schooler Ryo Ishikawa won the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup yesterday, becoming the youngest winner in the history of the Japanese men's professional tour.

Ishikawa, a 15-year-old former national junior high school champion, shot 69 and 66 on Sunday's final day of the storm-affected tournament for a one-stroke win over veteran Katsumasa Miyamoto in his first tour appearance. He surged up the leaderboard in the final round with seven birdies against a lone bogey.

"It was a dream round," said Ishikawa, who finished at 12-under 276. "I just kept trying to make birdies."

Ishikawa became the first teenager to win since the Japanese men's tour was established in 1973 and first amateur winner since Masahiro Kuramoto took the Chugoku-Shikoku Open title in 1980 at age 25.

At 15 years and eight months, the Saitama-born Ishikawa shattered the previous record held by Spain's Seve Ballesteros, who won the 1977 Japan Open at 20 years and seven months.

"It still hasn't sunk in yet," a beaming Ishikawa told reporters. "I never once looked at the scoreboard. I only knew I was leading after I'd holed out. My dad told me I might have a chance playing 36 holes in one day because of my age."

Ishikawa, a former national junior high school champion, received a sponsor's exemption to play in the event and had to begin his third round on Sunday at a little after 6 a.m.

"There were only about 15 people - all people I know - watching me at the start," he said. "It's a dream come true to actually win the tournament. I want to play against the world's best players. I want to be like Tiger Woods."

The surprise victory by the slim high school student graced the front pages of major newspapers and sports tabloids, with television networks calling him a new "prince" of the Japanese golf world.

May 21, 2007

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