Ishikawa reunites with Matsuyama at Dunlop Phoenix Tournament

Two of Japan’s biggest golf stars are set to light up this week’s Dunlop Phoenix Tournament with Ryo Ishikawa and Hideki Matsuyama expected to produce the fireworks when the storied event gets underway on Thursday.
 
The 51^st edition of the ¥200,000,000 event held at the Phoenix Country Club in Miyazaki prefecture features 84 of the best players from the JGTO with Ishikawa and Matsuyama arguably the biggest draws.
 
Fresh from his 20^th JGTO victory last week, Ishikawa will tee off alongside Matsuyama and amateur Mao Matsuyama in the first round at 9:15 am (local time).

It will also be the first time in six years the 33-year-old is teeing off alongside the 2021 Masters champion.  
 
"I’m honored to be placed in such a great group. I’ve always watched Hideki play. It’s been six years since I last played with him in a tournament. He may not have changed much in the last six years, but I think I’ve definitely grown as a player. 
 
“My perspective on watching other players play has also changed. I’m excited to see how I can match up against some of the best golfers in the world now,” said Ishikawa.
 
World No. 7 Matsuyama will make his next appearance on home soil following the Zozo Championship, where he finished tied-46^th last month.
 
The decorated star, who won the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament in 2014, clinched the bronze medal at the Paris Olympic Games in August along with two PGA Tour titles this year. 
 
He has promised to reward his fans with a strong performance befitting of his status as Japan’s golfing hero.
 
"I've won twice this year on the PGA Tour and was able to bring home the bronze medal from the Paris Olympics to Japan," said Matsuyama. I’m very happy I have another chance to tee up at this tournament and will do my best to win this prestigious tournament in front of my home crowd in Japan." 

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