Ryo Ishikawa will be playing in Japan to earn full-time membership of the PGA
The temporary PGA Tour member, Ryo Ishikawa, wants to spend most of his time at the Japan Golf Tour-staged events, so that he can earn a full season tour card for 2013.
Currently the 20-year-old Japanese rising star is playing at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, presented by MasterCard, and is tied for the 61st position, after the completion of the two rounds.
He shared his views on Thursday’s eve, at the Floridian site of the Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando.
His aims are high and he is seeking to become a full-time member of the next US based PGA Tour season 2013.
"Long term, yes, it's my dream to be playing the majority of events over here," Ishikawa said. "But it wouldn't happen in the near future because the Japanese Tour helped me reach where I am. I'm really grateful for what I have in Japan".
"For physical reasons, the time difference and geological differences, distance-wise, for my physical state, I think it's better to stay over here and play. That would be the ideal situation. But in the near future, no," he added.
His plans are for a better and safe future. He is not leaving the US now, but will be playing in Japan later this year.
That way he can improve his ranking and achieve the honour to play at most of the PGA organised tournaments in the US.
Recently, he had also earned an invitation to the Masters Tournament, the first major event of the current year.
He was unable to qualify for the field, due to low ranking and no victory since January. However, officials of the Masters allowed and selected him to participate in the mega event.
Since turning professional in 2008, he has won ten professional events and out of them, nine victories were recorded in Japan.
He is the most popular golf player in the Asian region and he is increasing the number of his fans in the US.
He played six tournaments on the PGA in 2012 and his best finish up till now was at Puerto Rico Open presented by seepuertorico.com. He finished on the second position and competed well for the title.
The finish gave him a temporary membership, but for a safe future, he has to play in Japan. He has plans to be in Japan in August or September 2012.
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