Wind got calm, and sunshine was back. So did powerful Ryo Ishikawa's A game. He was depressed with the rough round yesterday, with even par finish. But he was totally back to usual energetic Ryo.
"I was on the bubble at the start today, but when I came in today, cutline was not bothering me anymore."

Last year's tournament was cancelled due to huge earthquake. This year, the tournament was open to the local spectators for free on Thursday and Friday. Many fans gathered and on the "high five area" at 4 and 5, 14 and 15th holes, huge crowd gathered to meet the players.
"We as players like the idea very much. Tournaments is supported mainly by the local fans and volunteers, so players should do their best performance and make sure that the fans will enjoy and feel happy that they came."

Ryo has also showed his matured play. In 2015 when he won, he has literary conquered Wattsu course with swinging his Driver in full power.
"My golf has matured. Now I select the best club and shots on the each and every hole to play smart and effectively. My physical condition has chanced too, I have gained 3 more kg since spring. My outfit got too tight and I had to get it changed. Training gave me the strength for more head speed which lead to more yardages."

As Ryo said, his drives were about the same as Rikuya Hoshino, a long hitter young gun in the same groupings. Ryo got his condition back from getting too cold on the course yesterday by doing full training after the round. He was back to the course with perfect condition and made his season best bogey free 8 birdies round.

He made a chip in from the bunker on 6th. On his back nine, he made 3 straight birdies from 16 and on the last one at 18th, he shot from 120 yards on the left side rough with PW to 1-meter of the pin. Great birdie show made the fans roar.

Ryo is aiming for his 3rd season victory to get ready for the US PGA Tour co-sanctioned ZOZO Championship coming up in October. Ryo is already invited by the sponsor.
"ZOZO will be really exciting. It will become bigger than the 2001 World Cup at Gotemba where Tiger Woods made the dramatic chip in on the final 18th. I was watching that tournament on TV. This time I will be inside the rope too. I am so glad that I am playing golf. I am looking forward to that game so much. Until that dream event, I want to brush up my golf and be ready physically and technically."