Lee Westwood insists Japan heart throb Ryo Ishikawa is far ‘too intense’ and needs to spend less time concentrating on golf.
The World No. 3 ranked Westwood made the frank admission after playing the second round of the Thailand Golf Championship.
Westwood ended his round near lunch leading by 14 shots before ending the round eventually 11 clear of Masters champion Charl Schwartzel.
Ryo Ishikawa far 'too intense' says World No. 3 Lee Westwood.
At the opposite end of the leader board was Ishikawa carding a second round 77 for a three over par tally.
And if it had not been for Frenchman Romain Wattel managing a par at his last hole the Japanese golfer would have been heading home early.
Ishikawa was making one of his rare appearances outside of Japan for an event that was other than a Major or WGC.
He arrived in Thailand having finished runner-up on the Japan PGA Tour and also accompanied by plenty of Japanese press and photographers.
And right from the outset Ishikawa failed to win too many friends away from his own Japanese countryman.
An very respected Asian-based sports editor sought and was agreed an interview with Japan’s ‘Bashful Prince’ but after having to wait an hour for Ishikawa he finds his ‘one-to-one’ interview was in the company of some 20 Japanese journalists and the Asian Tour TV.
“You can ask four questions and that’s all,” he was advised by Ishikawa’s minder while the Asian Tour TV was allowed just one, and with all four having to be translated from Japanese to English even though Ishikawa’s English is not that bad.
It’s little wonder Westwood made the comments he did when asked what was Ryo’s problems over the two Thai rounds.
“I don’t think Ryo really doesn’t have any problems because technically he is pretty sound and everybody has off weeks as we saw this week,” said Westwood.
“He’s still young and he’s going to get bigger and stronger and he does everything well, and he seems comfortable when he’s winning so I don’t see he’s got too many problems.
“He’s also a nice lad.
“But if he did have a weak point I feel he’s maybe a bit too intense.
“He plays a lot, and he said to me he’s played 33 events this year, and that is a lot.
“And we know he’s notorious for dedicating all his time to his golf and from own experience you need a release, and you need to get away from golf now and again.
“So in taking a break you come back with the hunger there and that will keep the enjoyment there.”
It was important also for Ishikawa to play all four rounds of the Asian Tour event to ensure he does not lose his present 50th ranking in the world.
It will mean the Japanese star receiving an invitation over the next week or two to contest next April’s U.S. Masters.
