INQUIRER Sports

TOKYO ? Japan's teenage golf star Ryo Ishikawa won the Fujisankei Classic for the second year in a row on Sunday to take the lead in the domestic tour's money rankings.

Ishikawa, 18, beat his former high school golfing teammate Shunsuke Sonoda, 20, in a playoff after they tied on a nine under par 275 at Fujizakura Country Club, at the foot of Mount Fuji.

After finishing even in the first three playoff holes, Ishikawa two-putted for par on the fourth, but Sonoda's par putt hit the lip of the cup and bounced out.

"This is my first back-to-back title win since I became a pro," Ishikawa said.

"I've never felt like this before -- it's a wonderful experience and I want to return to the course next year."

Han Lee of the United States finished third with a seven under par 277.

Sunday's prize money of 22 million yen ($261,000) took Ishikawa to the top of the Japan Golf Tour Organization money rankings, with a total of 66 million yen from two victories so far this season.

Ishikawa, who has drawn high television ratings and huge crowds with his daring drives and aggressive short game, won four times in Japan last year to become the youngest player to top the money list on any of golf's major tours.