NORTON, Massachusetts, Sep 6 (Reuters): Australian world number eight Geoff Ogilvy has given a boost to Japan's Ryo Ishikawa, saying the teenager has shown enough to earn a spot on the International team for next month's Presidents Cup.
"Ishikawa should definitely get picked.
I think he should be guaranteed at this point," Ogilvy told reporters at the Deutsche Bank Championship yesterday.
"He's playing well every week, so how can you not pick him?" International captain Greg Norman and his American counterpart Fred Couples will announce their respective two wild card choices on Tuesday to complete their 12-man line-ups for the October 8-11 showdown in San Francisco.
The International team is comprised of players from outside the United States and Europe.
Ogilvy, 2006 US Open champion, has earned his spot along with compatriot Robert Allenby, Vijay Singh of Fiji, Camilo Villegas of Colombia, Argentine Angel Cabrera, South Africans Retief Goosen, Ernie Els and Tim Clark, Mike Weir of Canada and PGA winner Yang Yong-eun of South Korea.
Ishikiwa, 17, has won twice on the Japan Tour in the past 10 weeks, and made the cut last month at the PGA Championship, finishing equal 56th in just his third major.
"Greg has said he's going to go on current form and (Ishikawa's) probably playing better than any of us," added Ogilvy.
"I would love to play with Ishikawa.
That would be awesome.
The Japanese always bring enthusiasm and enthusiasm is what wins."