A 17-year-old golf sensation will become the second-youngest competitor at the US Masters in April after being sent a special invitation to the major.
Japan's Ryo Ishikawa is already making waves in his homeland and could soon rise to world stardom as he becomes the most youthful golfer to tee-off at the event since American Tommy Jacobs in 1952.
The prodigious talent, who won the Japan Tour's Munsingwear Open KSB Cup when he was 15, has already been asked to appear at three US PGA Tour tournaments in the run up to the Augusta showpiece.
Augusta National chairman Billy Payne explained that he doesn't believe Ishikawa will be out of his depth on one of golf's biggest occasions.
He commented: "At a young age Mr Ishikawa has shown the skill and competitiveness to make him a deserving recipient of this invitation.
"We see this as an opportunity to expose an emerging talent on a world stage and fulfil our objective to grow the game."
Nike Golf star Trevor Immelman will be defending his US Masters crown, having not won since last year's event.
A 17-year-old golf sensation will become the second-youngest competitor at the US Masters in April after being sent a special invitation to the major.
