Golf:Teen sensation Ryo Ishikawa claimed a fifth Japan Tour title today with a five-shot victory at the Fujisankei Classic.
Overnight leader Ishikawa, who turns 18 later this month, carded a final round one-under-par 71 to extend his lead at the top of the tour money list after claiming a third title of the year.
Last week at the at the Vana H Cup KBC Augusta Ishikawa, who made his first cut at a major in last month’s US PGA Championship, led heading into the final round before being forced to settle for third place after a fourth-round six-under-par 66 saw him miss the play-off by a stroke.
But at Fujizakura Country Club, final round scoring proved difficult for the field with Daisuke Maruyama claiming second at seven under with after a two under 69.
Koumei Oda (68) claimed third ahead of Kaname Yokoo (68) and Katsumasa Miyamoto (69), with 26-time tour winner Shingo Katayama (68), last week’s winner Yuta Ikeda (69), Tomohiro Kondo (72) and Tohinori Muto (74) rounding out the top 10 tied for sixth at three-under.
Australian world number eight Geoff Ogilvy has given a boost to Ishikawa, saying the teenager has shown enough to earn a spot on the International team for next month's Presidents Cup.
"Ishikawa should definitely get picked. I think he should be guaranteed at this point," said Ogilvy at the Deutsche Bank Championship.
"He's playing well every week, so how can you not pick him?"
International captain Greg Norman and his American counterpart Fred Couples will announce their respective two wild card choices on Tuesday to complete their 12-man line-ups for the October 8th11th showdown in San Francisco.
The International team is comprised of players from outside the United States and Europe.
Ogilvy, 2006 US Open champion, has earned his spot along with compatriot Robert Allenby, Vijay Singh of Fiji, Camilo Villegas of Colombia, Argentine Angel Cabrera, South Africans Retief Goosen, Ernie Els and Tim Clark, Mike Weir of Canada and PGA winner Yang Yong-eun of South Korea.
"Greg has said he's going to go on current form and (Ishikawa's) probably playing better than any of us," added Ogilvy.
"I would love to play with Ishikawa. That would be awesome. The Japanese always bring enthusiasm and enthusiasm is what wins."
