It’s been an off-season full of players switching equipment and sponsors, particularly for Team Nike. But they’re not the only ones making touring staff moves – Callaway has officially signed young Japanese phenom, Ryo Ishikawa (or the “Bashful Prince” as he’s known in Japan). The multi-year deal, estimated at $7 million a year, was announced on Thursday at a ceremony at Narita International Airport outside of Tokyo – after the ceremony, 21-year-old Ishikawa boarded a plane for the USA where he will begin his PGA Tour season at the Humana Challenge, starting January 17 in La Quinta, California (the same week Rory is expected to officially join Team Nike!).
Ishikawa won his first professional event at 15 during the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup, became the youngest golfer to win a Japan Golf Tour event, and has won a total of 12 tournament titles since, none in the United States though. His best finish on the PGA Tour was second in last year’s Puerto Rico Open. He tied for 20th in the 2011 Masters and about a month after, he announced that he would donate his 2011 tour earnings plus an additional 100,000 yen for every birdie he made to the Japan earthquake relief efforts. He also became the youngest golfer to ever reach the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings. He offically became a member of the PGA Tour last March and had two top-10 finishes in 18 starts.
Ishikawa has always played Odyssey putters and is said to be pretty excited to have a full bag of Callaway gear now. He will now play the company’s new RAZR Fit Xtreme Driver and the Odyssey putters he has used for nine of his victories. He also will wear Callaway-branded apparel, caps, gloves and footwear. Ishikawa will be leaving Yonex, a company that has a strong presence in Asia. This signing brings to Callaway youth, energy and a dynamic presence. Check out the photo above of his new Callaway equipment, with “RYO” stamped on his new wedges!
Source: Callaway Golf
