Ishikawa says Asia behind him at Royal Trophy

Tokyo, Jan 06: Japanese teenage golf sensation Ryo Ishikawa says the whole of Asia is behind him as he makes his international pro debut at the Royal Trophy in Thailand this week. "I`m pumped up as I go to Thailand carrying the wishes of Asian people on my shoulders," the 17-year-old said on Tuesday before flying to Bangkok for the team event pitting Asia against Europe.

"I`m thrilled. It is a matter of winning or losing and I am determined to go with the belief that we will definitely win," he said. The third edition of the Royal Trophy, which is styled after the Ryder Cup, starts on Friday at the Amata Spring Country Club in Bangkok. "I know only that the course has a floating island green," said Ishikawa, who shot to fame in May 2007 when he won a Japan Tour event as an amateur at the age of 15 years and eight months. Ishikawa, who has set his sights on playing with world number one Tiger Woods and winning the US Masters, said teamwork could bring Asia their first Royal Trophy after defeats in the opening two editions, in 2006 and 2007. The 2008 event was called off out of respect for the Thai king`s sister, who died last January. Ishikawa recalled Japan`s surprise Olympic bronze medal in the men`s 4x100 metres relay at last year`s Beijing Olympics as an inspiration for his team. "At that time, each one of them was slower individually but they could get a medal with techniques to reduce losses in passing the baton," he said. "This time, there is a sufficient possibility that the Japan-Asia team can win by improving teamwork." Ishikawa, nicknamed "Prince Bashful," turned professional 12 months ago and chalked up his second Japanese Tour win in November. In December, he became the youngest golfer on the Japanese Tour to reach 100 million yen (1.1 million dollars) in single-year winnings. He finished fifth on the money list with earnings of 106.3 million yen. Ranked 60 in the world at the end of 2008, he is reportedly preparing to play at the Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona next month and the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida in March. If he fares well, it could boost his chances for an invitation to the Masters. The eight-man teams at the Royal Trophy, from January 9 to 11, will play a series of matches involving foursomes, four-ball and singles. Spain`s Jose Maria Olazabal is filling in for close friend and compatriot Severiano Ballesteros as captain of the European team. The Asian team will be led by Japan`s Joe Ozaki. Bureau Report