Ryo Ishikawa, once one of golf's brightest young talents, picked up his first win in three years Sunday, defeating Rikuya Hoshino in a playoff at the Taiheiyo Masters on the top-tier Japanese tour.
Ishikawa drew his third shot to about 13 feet from the cup on the second playoff hole, the par-5 18th, and calmly sank the putt after Hoshino could only manage par at Taiheiyo Club's Gotemba Course in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Ishikawa earned 40 million yen ($288,000) for his third Taiheiyo Masters win and 18th career victory on the JGTO Tour.
The two players finished regulation tied at 8-under 272.
"It's unbelievable," Ishikawa said. "It still hasn't sunk in. I'm 31 now and so glad to win this wonderful tournament."
"I wanted to produce a result so badly. I'll continue to aim higher."
Ishikawa has struggled for years after he produced outstanding results early in his career.
He won the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup as a 15-year-old amateur in 2007, turned pro in 2008 and became the youngest money title winner in 2009 at 18.
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