Notes and Quotes from Firestone
Ishikawa takes over spotlight from McIlroy – Bridgestone Invitational
AKRON, Ohio – Meanwhile, Rory who?It was only some two months ago that the world was all gaga over Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy winning the U.S. Open. Now he’s having a so-so time of it in the Bridgestone Invitational and the world’s doing the same over Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa, a huge star back home, internationally famous and now with a chance for his first victory on the PGA Tour. And him still 19, and over a month from turning 20.
“I feel I am very calm when I’m playing out there,” said Ishikawa, in case anyone was wondering about pressure. So much has been expected of him that his record in the U.S. this year – four-missed cuts in eight events – seems almost a disappointment. His best finish was a tie for 20th at the Masters. His best finish ever was a tie for ninth in the 2010 Accenture Match Play.
Talk about history: A victory would make Ishikawa the youngest winner of a PGA Tour event since John McDermott took the 1911 U.S. Open at 19, a week younger than Ishikawa. It’s a parallel, of course. There was no PGA Tour back then.
Ishikawa had already pledged his 2011 winnings to victims of March’s earthquake and tsunami back in Japan. First place is worth $1.4 million, and he’s already donated nearly a million.
BRIGHT OUTLOOK: If history matters, things look good for third-round leader Adam Scott. The third-round leader or co-leader has won seven of 12 times at the WSG-Bridgestone Invitational. The last was Vijay Singh in 2008.
BUBBA MEETS THE MONSTER: Firestone’s 16th, long called The Monster, a downhill par-5 with a pond in front of the green, was playing at some 660 yards Saturday. Which meant big-hitting Bubba Watson was going to go after it. “I hit two good drives earlier in the week, and it hasn’t rolled out like that,” Watson said. “But today, I guess it is a little bit downwind, so I pushed it and it rolled pretty far.” Did it ever. All told, 415 yards. He hit his second from 245 and put it 13 feet, and two-putted for a birdie, finishing with a 2-under 68-207, nine off the lead.
CLEAN CARDS: Four players posted bogey-free rounds: 3 – Ryo Ishikawa (64), Matt Kuchar (65), Kyung-Tae Kim (66), Martin Laird (67).
PARTY’S OVER: Tiger Woods was making his return in the Bridgestone after taking 11 weeks off to heal leg injuries, and much was expected. But nothing much happened. It served two purposes: He could add his eighth victory in the event, and he could warm up for next week’s PGA Championship. It would have to be the latter. A 2-over 72 Saturday left him 13 off the lead and tied for 38th in the 76-man field. His outlook: “I've just got to put together a good round and let it build.”
LUKE LOOKING GOOD: Luke Donald moved into contention to win his second World Golf Championships title of the year with his closing 64 that put him three off the lead. A bogey at the 18th stung him. He won the Accenture Match Play earlier.
AGE GAME: In addition to Ishikawa (19 years, 10 months, 21 days), two other players have a chance to become the youngest winner in the history of the World Golf Championships. As of Sunday Rory McIlroy will be 22 years, 3 months, 3 days, and Rickie Fowler, 22 years, 7 months, 25 days.
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