Ishikawa makes it five at Fujisankei
BY Bruce Young | Japan Tour | 2009 Fujisankei Classic | Round Four | 06 Sep 2009
In eleven days time Japan’s golfing superstar, Ryo Ishikawa, will turn 18 but even before he does so he has won five events on the Japan Golf Tour after today adding the Fujisankei Classic title to his already unbelievable achievements.
Ishikawa’s five shot win at the Fujizakura Country Club in Yamanashi west of Tokyo must provide the Presidents Cup captain Greg Norman with food for thought as he contemplates his final two pairings for his team. That announcement will be made on Wednesday so Ishikawa’s timing could not be more perfect.
Nearly twice the number of fans that attended the event in 2008 were at the course today to witness the stunning victory in an event Ishikawa had led from the end of day two. On a day where scoring was not easy, Ishikawa struggled early before four birdies in the closing seven holes established such a lead that he was even afforded the luxury of a bogey at the last but still won by five.
Daisuke Maruyama finished runner up while Koumei Oda was third.
Ishikawa further extends his lead on the Japan Golf Tour money list adding this victory to his two others in 2009 and his third place finish last week in Fukuoka. Ishikawa is currently 62nd in the world ranking and this victory should move him close to the top 50, an unbelievable achievement for one so young.
The leading Australian was Brendan Jones, who recovered from a slow start to the event to finish 15th. At one point during his second round Jones was three shots outside the cutline but recovered to make the weekend and then made further progress from there. Jones remains in 4th position on the Japan Golf Tour money list.
Craig Parry was 26th, Paul Sheehan was 40th, Steve Conran 44th, Eddie Lee 56th and Nathan Uebergang 60th.
