JAPANESE PIN-UP BOY JOINS MAJOR WINNERS IN THAI CH/SHIP

                         RYO ISHIKAWA ... TO PLAY IN THAILAND CHAMPIONSHIP IN DECEMBER
NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ASIAN TOURBangkok: Japanese golfing star and pin-up boy Ryo Ishikawa is the latest marquee name to confirm his participation in the Asian Tour’s season-ending Thailand Golf Championship in December.
The supremely talented Ishikawa will join newly crowned Major champions Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland and the cream from the Asian Tour in the inaugural US$1 million showpiece from December 15 to 18.
World number two Lee Westwood of England will also feature in Thailand’s most prestigious championship at the majestic Amata Spring Country Club on the outskirts of Bangkok.
“I’m very excited to play at the Thailand Golf Championship. Many of the world’s best players have confirmed their participation and I’m glad to be a part of an elite field,” said the 20-year-old.
“The Amata Spring Country Club is a great championship test and I’m looking forward to competing at the venue again. It will provide a strong challenge to all the players.
“With the top stars from the Asian Tour competing as well, the Thailand Golf Championship will be a very exciting tournament for both players and spectators. I can’t wait to get back to Thailand,” added the Japanese, who is ranked 46th in the world.
Ishikawa burst onto the scene by winning the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup in Japan as a 15-year-old amateur. With his dashing good looks and easy-going personality, Ishikawa’s fame has grown with each passing year where he has now won eight more titles in Japan.
The highlight of his career thus far came in 2010 when he fired a scintillating 12-under-par 58 in the final round of the Crowns tournament to win by five shots. His final round was the lowest ever recorded on any major international golf tour.
His popularity has extended to Europe and the United States where he has made numerous appearances in all four Majors. His best placing was at this year’s Masters Tournament where he finished tied 20th.
The young Japanese earned plenty of admiration when he announced he would donate all his winnings from the 2011 season towards the rebuilding efforts in Japan following the devastating earthquakes and tsunamis which hit his country earlier this year.
The winner of the Thailand Golf Championship will earn a spot in the World Golf Championship-Bridgestone Invitational 2012.