Japanese golfer Ryo Ishikawa upset by tragedy at home – Golf news
Japanese golfer Ryo Ishikawa is going through a tough period in the United States with his country suffering after being hit by one of history’s worst tsunamis and facing a threat of nuclear radiation.
The 19-year-old teen prodigy is the most successful golfer in Japan, but is currently residing in the US for the Masters, which will take place in April 2011.
The poster boy of Japan expressed his sentiments for the people of Japan in a press conference held in Florida on Tuesday. He said, “It almost pains me that I am out there and the people of Japan are going through the worst crisis. I never for once felt
lucky that I am here, meaning that my heart and soul are with the people of Japan. Even though I am physically here, my mind is there.”
The 19-year-old was teeing off in the first round of the Cadillac Championship when the earthquake hit his native country. He called his family immediately and found out that they were safe as they lived outside Tokyo. Since Ishikawa has friends in Sendai,
which is a city in the northern part of Japan, he was extremely worried.
He told the press that although his family was safe, his mind was stuck in Sendai which was the worst-affected area. Ishikawa added that he wanted to fly back home, but was forced to stay back owing to his commitments on the Tour.
Ishikawa opened the tournament with a good score, but owing to the stress, he struggled through the rest of the event. He wrapped the four-day tournament with a score of 78 and finished tied at the 42nd spot.
Ishikawa believes that he would stay back and play for a victory to relieve his people who are going through the toughest phase of their lives.
Therefore, he will appear in the Transitions Championship which will take place at the Copperhead Course this week and fly to Bay Hills for the Arnold Palmer Invitational in the upcoming weeks. Ishikawa will head home after the Masters to take part in the
opening tournament of the Japan Golf Tour.
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