© Golf Digest OnlineEarly this week Ryo Ishikawa officially "came of age".  In Japan the second Monday of January is "Coming of Age Day" a special holiday day where those who've reached 20, the age of majority are celebrated with festivities, ceremonies and parties. 

Soon after the celebration the intrepid young golfer was heading to Hawaii for the Sony Open which begins tomorrow.  In the mean time, an intense ten hour practice round at Wailae Golf Club golf course seemed to demonstrate that the hardworking Japanese superstar had paid little heed to the words of Lee Westwood who a couple of weeks ago suggested that Ishikawa was too "far too intense" and needed to get away from golf more.

The young phenom will be paired with Webb Simpson and K.J. Choi at Sony, and it's a pretty sure bet they'll be one of the most followed foursomes. 

The Golf Channel's Randall Mell suggested that the "Bashful Prince" was in golf's Hot Seat as he hasn't yet proved himself on US soil.  Many disagree, citing his myriad wins in Japan... and his very young age. Most feel he has plenty of time and expect to see him win before long.  As one commenter wrote,  I think a win by a Ryo Ishikawa will do the world of golf a lot of good. 

Many thanks to Noriko an avid Ryo Ishikawa fan in Japan.  ">                              

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