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!

Rugged Ryo Returns - 米国に石川遼を返します

.

Did you ever think you'd see Ryo Ishikawa in a lumberjack shirt?

Neither did I, but that's just what he was wearing yesterday, layered under a black puffer vest.  The scene was  Narita Airport  and Ryo was enroute to the USA... where he'll be playing in a number of events leading up to The Masters.

The PGA Tour season actually started a few weeks ago, but as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't begin to feel like spring until the whimsical Mr. Ishikaw arrives on our shores with his awesome talent in tow... and an army of Japanese paparazzi following along.

Though the precocious Japanese mega-star hasn't yet turned twenty, it seems like I've be writing about him for years.   When it comes to golf apparel, Ryo style is all about exuberant color.  His outfits and his equipment is Yonex, and he's partial to pink ... and blue, green, red, yellow, orange, etc... and he wears them all well.  I look forward to the multi-chromatic display that'll begin when he hits the fairways of Rivera Country Club in a couple of weeks at the Northern Trust Open.

If you're a fan of the Bashful Prince, you're probably still a bit incredulous about his rugged, wintery logger-look and dark monochromatic layering.  Here's a video clip from yesterday's press conference for a closer look.  Ryo's been quoted as saying he's determined to show people "show people what a Japanese golfer can do in the Masters"  to that end he's been working with a personal trainer ... and it looks like he's bulked up a bit.



Many thanks once again to my awesome friend Noriko for keeping me posted on Ryo's whereabouts.

石川遼 - Ryo Redemption at the Nippon Series JT Cup

.

It's going to be an ultra-exciting weekend as third round action begins tomorrow at the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup.


The tournament... and the top spot on the Japan Golf Tour money list... will be decided over the next two days, and Ryo Ishikawa, currently second in the money rankings, must win Sunday at Tokyo Yomiuri Country Club, in order to overcome Korea's Kim Kyung-tae and become Japan Golf Tour's leading money winner for the second consecutive year.

A devastating first round 76 made that possibility seem extremely remote until the sprightly superstar came back with superlative, second round eight-under 62, earning him a share of sixth place and putting him back into the money title mix.

Also in mix however,  is Yuta Ikeda, who heads into the third round leading by three strokes thanks to a stellar, bogey-free first round 63... and second round 69.  He too can be crowned Japanese number one with a win this weekend, and he'll tee off tomorrow six strokes ahead of his 19-year-old countryman.

Current money leader Kim... who stands to become the first JGTO money champion from South Korea... is currently in a share of 10th following a disappointing second round 73.

That's what I meant by ultra-exciting.  As you probably know,  I'm a huge fan of Ryo Ishikawa... for more reasons than I can name.  His extraordinary talent, whimsical Yonex wardrobe and sweet, shy demeanor are the obvious ones.

Noriko Yamada, a friend and fellow Ishikawa fan, sent me this link which contains the above photo of Ryo. I believe it was taken during his sensational Friday round.  His pants and hat appear to be leather, he's wearing a couple of necklaces over a turtleneck and he's sporting an awesome asymmetrical hairstyle.

Let's face it... the kid just keeps getting better.