Two of the games hottest stars in Rory McIlroy and Ryo Ishikawa will play an exhibition match in Yokohama on Monday.
McIlroy confirmed he will travel to Japan just prior to teeing up in today’s opening round of the Omega Mission Hills World Cup.
The 'Bashful Prince' set to welcome Rory McIlroy to Yokohama.
“I haven’t been to Japan for some time and it’s going to be great to catch up with Ryo,” he said.
“We’re playing an exhibition match for charity so it’s all for a good cause.”
The duo will play a nine hole stroke event and then a back nine skins match in front of just 1,500 invited guests.
It will be McIlroy’s first visit to Japan since his only appearance in finishing 33rd in the 2008 Crowns.
McIlroy will then travel to Hong Kong for the UBS Hong Kong Open and an event he finished runner-up in both 2008 and 2009.
Ishikawa had returned home to Japan following a 30th place finish in this year’s U.S. Open in awe of McIlroy declaring he still had a long way to go to match the game of the youngest player to win to win a U.S. Open since 1923.
“I think Rory is definitely the next Tiger Woods,” said Ishikawa.
“His playing style is amazing as he can play any shot with any club. I’ve got a lot to do to get anywhere near that level.
“But it’s great to have someone like that to motivate me.”
Ishikawa is currently lying second on the Japan Tour money list with earnings this year of YEN 86,542,603 but with no chance of overhauling Korean Sang-moon Bae with only one event remaining , the Nippon Series JT Cup remaining.
