Ryo might as well begin calling the shots now

Ryo Ishikawa already has established himself as a bona fide star on the Japan Golf Tour and at 18 already has become its most influential player, which may be why it makes sense that he was among five elected to serve as vice chairmen of the Japan Golf Tour Organization on Monday. The future is his; he might as well have a say in it.

Presumably, there isn't too much heavy lifting involved, nothing to distract him from more pressing matters -- improving his position on the international stage.

"I don't intend to weigh Ryo-kun down with burden," chairman Keiichiro Fukabori said. "We could use his help as someone we perceive as the future of Japanese golf."

-- John Strege