Ryo Ishikawa signs for Callaway Golf

Talented Japanese 21-year-old Ryo Ishikawa has signed a multi-year deal with Callaway Golf

Ryo Ishikawa

Callaway Golf has announced Ryo Ishiwaka as its newest signing after the Japanese youngster signed a multi-year contract with the brand.

Ishikawa - a ten-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour - joins Callaway as a full staff professional. He will use the new RAZR Fit Xtreme driver and Odyssey putters, along with other cutting-edge Callaway equipment.

The 21-year-old will also wear Callaway-branded apparel, caps, gloves and footwear.

"I am very happy to join the Callaway team," said Ishikawa.

"I believe the wonderful innovation and support Callaway gives to its many great staff players will help me grow as I compete on the PGA Tour this year."

At just 15 years and eight months, Ishikawa became the youngest golfer to win on the Japan Golf Tour at the Musingwear Open KSB Cup in 2007.

In September 2009, Ishikawa became the youngest player in golf's history to breach the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking.

Chip Brewer, President and CEO of Callaway Golf, said: "Ryo is an exciting, young international talent who has proven he can compete and win at the highest level.

"And not only is he an accomplished golfer, Ryo is an extraordinary and generous young man. We are proud that he has chosen our products for their exceptional performance, and we are excited to welcome Ryo to Team Callaway."

After the Japanese earthquake disaster in 2011, Ishikawa pledged to donate his year-long earnings - along with 100,000 yen for every birdie he made - to the relief efforts.

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x