Ryo Ishikawa gets temporary status

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Japan's Ryo Ishikawa has taken special temporary member status on the PGA Tour for the remainder of 2011, according to the tour's website.

Ishikawa, 19, can now take unlimited sponsor exemptions, although he is only eligible for four more tournaments, all part of the Fall Series events that begin in September.

A star in his homeland where he has won nine times, including a professional event as an amateur at age 15, Ishikawa recently tied for fourth at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. He earned $473,136 and added to previous earnings that gave him more than the 150th finisher on the 2010 money list.

That meant Ishikawa could take up the temporary member status. If he is able to earn more than the 125th finisher on this year's money list, Ishikawa would be fully exempt on the PGA Tour in 2012.

Billy Mayfair is 125th at the moment with $538,493. Ishikawa has total earnings of $577,136 but the number to finish inside the top 125 is expected to go much higher. Last year, it was $786,977.

Ishikawa has said he would continue to play on the Japan Golf Tour, so by earning his PGA Tour card, he would give himself more options. This year, he played in 10 events. Last week, Ishikawa shot a first-round 85 at the PGA Championship and missed the cut.

Earlier this year, Ishikawa pledged all of his 2011 prize money along with the equivalent of $1,200 per birdie to relief efforts in Japan following the March earthquake and tsunami.

Bob Harig covers golf for ESPN.com

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Bob Harig | email

Golf Writer, ESPN.com

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• Senior golf writer for ESPN.com
• Covered golf for more than 20 years
• Earned Evans Scholarship to attend Indiana University