Japanese golf sensation Ryo Ishikawa is set to add another outstanding record to his astonishing career as the youngest player to participate in the Royal Trophy, the prestigious continental team match-play competition played between Asia and Europe. The seventeen-year-old Ishikawa, known to his millions of Japanese fans as the 'Shy Prince' due to his 'movie star good looks' and soft-spoken manner, has been nominated by Asian Team Captain Joe Ozaki as the eighth and final player for the Asian golf battalion to face the European Continent on January 9-11, 2009.

Ishikawa shot to superstar status in May 2007 when, in his first appearance at a Japan Golf Tour event, he became the youngest winner of a Tour event anywhere in the world and the first teenager to win in the Japan Tour. He captured the Musingwear Open KSB Cup title as an amateur at fifteen years and eight months of age. The Saitama-born youth shattered the previous record held by the legendary Spaniard Seve Ballesteros, the winner of the 1977 Japan Open at twenty years and seven months of age. Since then, stories and images of the fresh-faced teen have been splashed across Japanese newspapers, magazines and television shows.

"It was a dream round. I kept on trying to make birdies all day. I would like to become a golfer who will be loved by people all around the world;" said the young golfer on that dramatic occasion.

Likely not quite realizing the grandeur of what he had just achieved, he added commenting on his historic tournament fourth round of 66: "I never once looked at the scoreboard. I only knew I was leading after I'd holed out. I want to play against the world's best players. I want to be like Tiger Woods."

Ishikawa not only broke the record held by five-time Major winner and Royal Trophy founder Ballesteros but also became the first amateur winner in the Japan Tour since Royal Trophy 2006 Asian Team Captain Masahiro Kuramoto took the Chugoku-Shikoku Open title in 1980.

On January 10, 2008 the young player also referred to by fans as the 'Japanese Tiger' once again proceeded to amend golf's record books, becoming the youngest player in Japanese golf history to turn professional. Ishikawa, who is believed to already have multiple long-term multimillion dollar endorsement deals, said he wanted to turn pro to advance his game. "Turning pro was an important step to achieving my dreams. I want to win Majors. The Masters is my biggest goal."

Ishikawa further enhanced his stunning reputation when he, only a month ago, produced a brilliant come from behind victory at the Mynavi ABC Championship to win his second Tour event and his first as a professional. His position as the greatest hope for Asian professional golf has been further consolidated by his finishing second in both the Japan Open Golf Championship and the Dunlop Phoenix tournament, both highly prestigious events featuring some of the world's best golfers.

"Ryo Ishikawa is a very strong and exciting addition to our Asian Team for the Royal Trophy. He shows a level of maturity well beyond his seventeen years of age. At such a young age he is already the winner of two Tour titles and also finished second twice this year;" said the thirty-five time tournament title winner Ozaki.

"Beyond having a great game, I am confident that he has the potential to perform very well in a team match-play format. He is capable of playing very solid and aggressive golf;" added Ozaki referring to the hugely talented teenager, hailed by many as the most exciting young player to emerge since Tiger Woods.

Although the Japan Tour has had several superstars over the years, the arrival of Ishikawa appears to have captured the imagination of the public in a different and much more powerful level. As a result of his participation, many Japan Tour events are seeing attendance grow by more than one hundred per cent.

At the Dunlop Phoenix tournament in November 2007, defending champion and Major winner Padraig Harrington played in relative obscurity while Ishikawa had a gallery of size equivalent to those enjoyed by Tiger Woods.

"Since Ryo Ishikawa broke into the Japan Golf Tour scene, the crowds are flocking to see him play, it is like Greg Norman days of old in Australia;" said Japan Tour Australian player Brendan Jones.

Ishikawa, already one of the most photographed celebrities in Japan, says that the best part of his being famous is that it brings attention to the sport of golf. The worst part is that he cannot go shopping any more without being mobbed by fans.

"I am very pleased to have been nominated as a member of the Asian Team for the Royal Trophy. I am excited about the prospect of playing for Asia and look forward to working together with my team mates to deliver the best result for our Continent;" said Ishikawa.

"I am really honored to have been selected by Captain Ozaki and I will do my very best to contribute to our Team. I am also looking forward to learning from the experience of playing together with some very experienced players, being led by Captain Ozaki and playing against a strong selection of the best European golfers;" added the youth who is known for his rare blend of talent, charisma, looks and modesty.

The Japanese national hero joins the seven Asian Team members previously selected by Ozaki in forming what is arguably the strongest team to ever represent Asia. The Asian troops include US PGA Tour star Charlie Wi and eight-time tournament champion S.K. Ho of Korea, 2008 Japan Tour three-time tournament winner Prayad Marksaeng and two-time Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, eight-time Japan Tour tournament winner Hideto Tanihara and two-time Japan Tour Order of Merit winner Toru Taniguchi of Japan as well as 2007 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Liang Wen-chong of China.

"The Royal Trophy has a great concept. It is not only a team competition between Europe and Asia, but it also plays a very important role in the promotion of the game of golf in the Asian region. We believe Ryo Ishikawa is a strong addition to Captain Naomichi 'Joe' Ozaki's powerful Team of Asian champions;" said Tadashi Koizumi, Chairman, Japan Golf Tour.

The third edition of the Royal Trophy will be held at the prestigious Amata Spring Country Club in Bangkok, Thailand. The principal award for the winning Continent is stewardship of the sixteen-kilogram solid-silver Trophy graciously donated by His Majesty the King of Thailand. The Royal Trophy is sanctioned by the Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour and European Tour.