Japan's Ishikawa hopes for McIlroy inspiration

Japan's teenage golf star Ryo Ishikawa says he hopes to draw inspiration from newly-crowned US Open champion Rory McIlroy and challenge him for titles in the future. "I have come to know so well how big the gap is between me and the best in the world," the 19-year-old told Japanese media Tuesday as he returned home from his second US Open where he finished tied for 30th. He was 33rd last year. Ishikawa managed to shoot a four-under-par 68 on the final round for a total of 286 while the 22-year-old McIlroy broke away to a record-breaking victory at 16-under 268. "He has inspired me much. I think all the young players around the world thought to themselves 'Why can't I?'," Ishikawa said. "I want to reach that level some day." Ishikawa went to the US Open after missing the cut for two straight events on the Japanese tour. Worse still, at the airport before departure, he was forced to apologise for driving a car without a valid licence weeks earlier. At Congressional Golf Club in Bethesda, Maryland, McIlroy himself said before the first round: "I'm sure in the future it would be great one day to go into the last round with him (Ishikawa) and try to win a tournament." Asked about his comment, Ishikawa recalled playing the first two rounds with McIlroy at the 2009 Masters. "It is my dream to battle with him for a title as soon as possible. But, in reality, I'm not sure about it," he said. "It will be great if it comes in the near future." Ishikawa, winless so far this season, is due to compete in the Mizuno Open on the domestic tour this week before leaving for the July 13-17 British Open. He has booked a spot at Royal St. George's by finishing third in last season's domestic rankings. Ishikawa has struggled with his short game this season but managed to finish tied 20th at the Masters after missing the cut there for two straight years since his 2009 debut. It was his best result in his nine Majors.