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Ryo Ishikawa is facing the prospect of disciplinary action by the Japan
Golf Tour after being caught violating COVID quarantine rules.
The
30-year-old has issued an apology after being photographed entering a
clubhouse after a round on a course in the Chiba Prefecture on October 27, just days returning home from California, where he took part in a qualifying event for the Korn Ferry Tour.
A
tabloid publication claimed that Ishikawa ignored Japan’s public health
orders and quoted an unnamed source as saying that Ishikawa was among a
group who played on the same course as the general public before hosting a “drinking party” later that night.
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Japan
currently has strict COVID-19 mitigation measures in place, which
require those who enter, re-enter or return to Japan (including Japanese
nationals) to, amongst other things, stay for 14 days at a designated location and to refrain from using public transportation.
Ishikawa made headlines in 2008 when he became the youngest player ever to reach the top 100 of the Official World Golf Rankings.
He has won 17 times on the Japan Golf Tour, most recently in December 2019.
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In response to the reports, the one-time phenom has signalled an intention to resign from his post as vice-chairman of the Japan Golf Tour Players Association and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation. He has also withdrawn from this week’s Mitsui
Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters and has said he will leave it to Japan
Golf Tour officials to make a decision about his appearance in future
events.
In a statement, Ishikawa said: “I deeply apologise
for any concern and inconvenience caused by the tabloid story. I have
been spending my 14-day quarantine period at an approved golf club and
undergoing daily health monitoring, but I admit I was partially at
fault, and I am sorry.”
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