St. Andrews Awesomeness - Ryo Ishikawa in Pink

A few weeks ago Ryo Ishikawa hit the fairways of Pebble Beach in an outfit so impressively pink it inspired an admiring tweet from Paula Creamer.

The shade was bubblegum... but not just any bubblegum, I'm talking the really bright kind. As in, Bubblicious Strawberry Splash.

That however, was California, the birthplace of Malibu Barbie. Clearly Scotland calls for something more understated... with perhaps a touch of tartan.

Well, at St. Andrews earlier this week Ryo once again stepped up to the proverbial plate tee. During a practice round on the Old Course he wore a pink-on-pink ensemble that seemed inspired by a Victorian tea party... up-to-and-including the tartan table cloth. The only things missing were tea cakes and teddy bears. ~ And that's what I love about Ryo. The fact that he wears whimsical so well.

Today's first round found our Bashful Prince in a more conservative mood. Playing with Tom Watson and Padraig Harrington, the Japanese prodigy sported solid white trousers and a wind-shirt in the color Crayola calls Cornflower. Sartorially speaking, it may not have been Ryo's most exciting look but he finished the round with a respectable -4. ~ And I can hardly wait to see what he does wears tomorrow.

Ryo Ishikawa in the Awesomest Golf Outfit... Ever!

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I know, I know... he always wears awesome outfits but this one, well... this outfit pushes wow-factor to sizzling new heights.

His bubblegum pants and matching belt are perfectly complemented by the variegated vibrancy of his golf shirt. All Yonex all the time.

I'm not much of a visor fan but no one wears a visor like Ryo. Oh, except for his Ryo Ishikawa headcover.

My good friend Greg Moore took the photo especially for me at Bay Hill this morning. Greg's been there documenting the past few days, and has done an amazing job with candid shots that capture players in the more relaxed atmosphere of ProAms and practice rounds. He's also discovered some interesting new accessories the pros are trying out and shares them on Twitpics. You can follow @gdm43pga on Twitter to get his frequent and fascinating updates.

As for Ryo, after a bit of a tough week last week I'm sure he's looking forward to getting out and turning it around... because we all know his game can be every bit as awesome and exciting as his outfits. And in Ryo's case, that's really saying something.

2011 US Open - Ryo Ishikawa, Bubblegum Flatbiller

June 14, 2011 - Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images North America

Ryo Ishikawa Shines at Pebble in Bubblegum Pink

Of my five unconventional eclectic and quirky US Open picks it was Ryo Ishikawa who fared best in round one... and on so many levels. His game was superlative and his outfit was over-the-top... in a good way.

The implausibly young Japanese champion, playing in his first ever US Open, finished just one back and wore and outfit took pink to a whole new level. Of course there were the inevitable comparisons to a famous anti-nausea medication but judging (as we do) from the reaction on Twitter, Ryo's rose colored fashion statement was well received.

Including this decidedly approving tweet from no less an authority on pink than @ThePCreamer!



Photo of Ryo Ishikawa: Donald Miralle/Getty Images North America