Ryo Ishikawa - Grace, Game & A Growing US Fanbase

Ryo Ishikawa - Bridgestone Invitational / Photo: AP

I was on my way out of Akron when I received the photo at left in a message from my Japanese friend, Noriko.  With it she wrote:

"Ryo has played greatly ! Hope he plays well at the final round. I believe you like his cute smile below ..."

Heading north on OH-8 N towards Twinsburg, the midwestern landscape simmered in the steamy late afternoon sunlight.  I wasn't in Ohio for the tournament... I was actually attending  a somewhat peculiar  a uniquely interesting international convention for twins...  but that's a whole nother story.   

When I found out I'd be able to fit in several hours at the Bridgestone Invitational on Saturday I jumped at the chance, and that turned out to be the day Ryo Ishikawa fired off the bogey-free six-under par 64 that put him into solo second place behind Adam Scott who eventually lifted the trophy... and Scott was stellar... that's for sure.  Rickie Fowler was superlative as well, finishing in a tie for second with world number one Luke Donald.  Another impressive Aussie, Jason Day, shared the T-4 spot with Ryo.  But it was the "Bashful Prince" who stole the spotlight... and grew his US fan base substantially... on Saturday.

If you read this blog you know I'm a huge Ishikawa fan. I first wrote about Ryo over four years ago as he prepared to compete in Junior World at Torrey Pines.  Since then the Japanese teenager has appeared in the pages of Golf Girl's Diary over fifty times... to the extent that some have suggested I rename the blog "Ryo Ishikawa's US Fan Club".   I haven't done that, but as PGA Championship week gets underway here are a couple of my Ryo posts from years past.

Welcome Back to America Ryo Ishikawa

Ryo Style - Ishikawa Awesomeness at the HSBC Champions

Adoring Female Fans Covet Ryo Ishikawa's Balls

Everyone Loves Ryo - ハニカミ王子 - Golf's "It Boy"

Remarkable Ryo Ishikawa - Best Dressed Golfer of 2009

Ai Miyazato Has The World's Sexiest Golf Swing

I want what she's having.



Ai Miyazato brings an extraordinary grace to the golf swing... even in the pouring rain. Hers is one of those swings that many attempt to copy... for obvious reasons.

"An Excuse for Eccentricity" - Golf Inspires Prada

Creators of golf apparel often cite the fashion runways as inspiration for their designs, but the reverse was true last month in Milan at Prada's 2012 Menswear show in Milan... and the ironic thing is: Miuccia Prada hates golf.

Then again, the Italian designer has been quite open about being inspired by things she's not fond of and in this case she did admit that the wacky world surrounding golf, with its eccentric dress codes and good-taste-be-damned point of view, had rather captivated her.

If you like Loudmouth Golf styles... on steroids... with a dash of Lilly Pulitzer... on crack... you'll surely love  this collection.  

More on the Prada line... and reaction to it... tomorrow.  In the meantime you can get a bit of an idea of what I'm talking about by checking out the clip below:                                                           

Ryo Ishikawa Serves Snow Cones and Lifts Spirits

What could be better on a hot, humid day than a good old fashioned snow cone?

A snow cone prepared by Ryo Ishikawa perhaps.

Earlier this week in Japan's Miyage Prefecture... where many have been living in shelters since the disastrous earthquake and tsunami... the "Bashful Prince" and other JGTO players, served shaved ice topped with flavored syrup after entertaining the area's children with a session of  SNAG golf.  The Japanese golfers were in the disaster zone to show their support for those most affected by it.  Additionally Mr. Ishikawa will be donating all of his earnings this your to disaster relief... and he's currently on top of Japan's money list.

The following day Ryo was off to the much chillier climate: that of of Kent, UK to play in the Open Championship.

Ryo Ishikawa's Rickie Fowler Look Makes Headlines

Takahashi Tomohiko [Photo]

As you've probably heard, Ryo Ishikawa played his way into the OWGR top 50 last weekend, and in so doing secured a spot at Congressional for the 2011 US Open.

This week the stylish Japanese teenager is playing in the Diamond Cup... an annual tournament on the JGT... where he took an early lead and created quite a bit of buzz among followers of fairway fashion. 

You see, there's something a bit different about the way Mr. Ishikawa is accessorizing these days, and it has everything to do with his headwear.

It's different... but familiar.  The slightly oversized cap, with a flat bill and a touch of hip-hop styling... Ryo is clearly channeling Rickie Fowler with this look and Japan's golf fashion scribes are loving it.

Thank you Noriko for the "heads up" on Ryo's Rickie Look!