Ishikawa takes special membership on PGA Tour

[March 20, 2012]  PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Japanese star Ryo Ishikawa has decided to take special temporary membership on the PGA Tour, which allows him to accept as many sponsor exemptions as he wants for the rest of the 2012 season.

The 20-year-old was runner-up in the Puerto Rico Open two weeks ago. In six events this year, he has earned $582,471, more than enough to be a special temporary member.

Nonmembers can play no more than 12 times on the PGA Tour.

The next goal for Ishikawa is to make as much as the player who ends the year at No. 125 on the money list. That would allow him to become a full member next year.

Ishikawa is set to play this week in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. He also has received a special invitation to the Masters.

[Associated Press]

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