PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. (Kyodo) Ryo Ishikawa teed off for a practice session ahead of his first tournament of the season at this week's Northern Trust Open at the Riviera Country Club on Monday.
The 19-year-old Ishikawa will be playing his third year on the U.S. PGA Tour.
"I feel nervous but I have put in some good training, so I am really psyched up," said Ishikawa, who completed a round under blue skies along with compatriot Yuta Ikeda to get a feel for the immaculate but hard, rolling greens on the 71-par course.
Ishikawa, who is playing in the Feb. 17-20 event for the third year in a row, even had some advice for tournament debutant Ikeda on how to attack the 315-yard, par-4 10th hole.
"Before I would get nervous when playing with him (Ikeda), but we have become more friendly by playing together overseas," said Ishikawa.