Ishikawa ready for golf renaissance

Ryo Ishikawa wants to use this week’s ZOZO Championship to try and resurrect his career after a recovering from long-term back issues. The Japanese star shot to fame as a teenager when he won a 2007 tournament on the Japan Golf Tour at just 15 years of age and that earned him an invitation to the 2009 Masters Tournament at just 17. Ishikawa also featured in the 2009 and 2011 Presidents Cup teams, before he won the 2010 Crowns on the Japan Tour thanks to a stunning final-round 58. However, his career has hit a gradual downward slope over the past decade with Ishikawa suggesting that injury issues prevented him from becoming a top player. But, with his problems now easing and a chance to play alongside top PGA stars such as Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas at the ZOZO Championship Isikawa has another opportunity to shine on the big stage. On his issues, the 28-year-old said: “Since 2013, I’ve been suffering with a bad lower back up until this spring. I was swinging the club feeling worried about how my lower back’s going to be. “Even though that’s not everything,” he added. “I would say that lower back is one of the main reasons. But I trained hard up until May this year and it’s starting to get better.” The ZOZO Championship takes place at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Inzai, Japan, from Thursday