Ryo Ishikawa insists he is ready to make an impact in the US after a disappointing debut on the PGA Tour.
Teen hopeful of improved display on next PGA Tour outing
Teen sensation Ryo Ishikawa insists he is ready to bounce back from a disappointing debut on the PGA Tour.
The 17-year-old Japanese starlet - who has earned an invite to this year's Masters - made his first professional appearance on American soil at last month's Northern Trust Open.
However, Ishikawa found the going tough and ended up missing the cut by three strokes at Riviera Country Club in California.
The youngster is unfazed by that set-back, though, and, after returning back to his homeland for a break and some practice, feels he is now ready to make an impact Stateside.
Ishikawa is scheduled to play two more events before making his debut at Augusta - the Transitions Championship and the Arnold Palmer Invitational - and has already set himself some stiff targets.
"I will go all out single-mindedly," he explained. "I want to play for the full four days at each of the three tournaments.
"I really want to work my head off so that I can grab more than four birdies in each of the 12 rounds."
Ishikawa revealed he has been putting in extra work on his iron-play and feels he is already reaping the rewards.
"My golf will get more stable if I work on quality iron shots," he added.
"I feel more comfortable than the last time, mentally rather than technically. I have less fear."
Ishikawa became celebrity in his native Japan after winning the KSB Cup in May 2007 at the age of 15 years and eight months, making him the youngest winner of any event on one of the world's six major tours.
