Ryo Ishikawa Gets First True Test: Grouped With Woods

Ryo Ishikawa, only 17 years old, has enjoyed one heck of a roller coaster ride the past few months.  Considering he's basically been famous since he was 15 years old and became the youngest winner on any Tour, anywhere, that is sanctioned by the Official World Golf  Ranking, and has since seen more countries and tournaments than just about any teenager, ever, to say he's about to face his first true test must really mean something.

Ishikawa, Woods & Westwood

That's right, Ishikawa, the Japanese wunderkind and newest media sensation, is paired with none other than Tiger Woods for the very first round of the British Open at Turnberry, in Scotland.  Interesting, as Tiger knows exactly how it feels to be in Ishikawa's shoes, and might have some good advice and who knows, even a calming presence to the torrent of reporters and media he's used to as of late.

Humbling & Exciting

Tiger, who has gone on record as saying that Ishikawa is handling the media support and the pressure extremely well hasn't gone unnoticed to Ishikawa.  Here's what he had to say concerning Tiger Woods, and his upcoming pairing with him and Lee Westwood:

“It’s unbelievable that Tiger is talking about me...And it is like a dream come true. Ever since I got into the British Open it’s like a total dream. I’m surprised to see Tiger in the same group.”

How he'll handle Tiger remains to be seen, but the other big question waiting to be answered is how he'll handle the golf course.  He's never seen anything remotely like the style of course he'll be facing at Turnberry and it will be beyond interesting to see how his game adapts to it, or rather, how quickly.  If it does adapt quick enough, we might be seeing Ryo in all four rounds this British Open, if not, it might be a 36 hole dream.

TUNE IN, This Will Be Good

Stay tuned, this is one of many reasons it's going to be so good this year.

(image via Damian Dovarganes/AP)