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May 09, 2012

Rising stars Rickie Fowler and Ryo Ishikawa set to play in 37th Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance

Officials of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance announced today that fan favorite Rickie Fowler and international sensation Ryo Ishikawa have committed to compete in the 37^th edition of the prestigious invitational Tournament hosted by golfing legend Jack Nicklaus.

The Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance is May 28-June 3 at Muirfield Village Golf Club.

With three top-10 finishes in 12 events so far this season, including his first-career PGA TOUR title last week at the Wells Fargo Championship, Fowler jumped 45 spots on the PGA TOUR money list to No. 11. His victory also vaulted him 41 spots to No. 15 in FedExCup points and 15 places in the World rankings to No. 24. Since turning professional in 2009, Fowler has recorded 16 top-10 finishes, including four second-place efforts to go with his breakthrough win last week in Charlotte, N.C.

As far as his performance in the Memorial Tournament, Fowler, 23, has posted top-25 finishes in each of his two appearances. He finished second in 2010 after holding the lead through the first three rounds and tied for 22^nd last year. His two-year scoring average at Muirfield Village Golf Club is 69.63 to go with $702,405 in earnings.

Ishikawa, 20, burst onto the international scene as an amateur in 2007 when he became the youngest winner of a men's professional golf tournament by winning the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup on the Japan Golf Tour at the age 15 years and 8 months. He turned professional the following year and recorded his second victory on the Japan Golf Tour. By the close of 2008 he had become the youngest ever player to reach the top 100 of the Official World Golf Rankings. He has gone on to post 11 international victories and is currently ranked No. 57 in the world. Ishikawa has three career top-10 finishes on the PGA TOUR, including a career-best second place this year at the Puerto Rico Open presented by seepuertorico.com. He was a member of the 2009 and 2011 International Presidents Cup teams and will be making his first appearance at this year’s Memorial Tournament.

Guaranteed availability for all-week Patron Badges to the 2012 Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance are available to the general public through May 20, as are special offers that include The President’s Cup 2013 tickets at Muirfield Village. Memorial Tournament badges, valid May 28-June 3, cost $155 and include a complimentary Wednesday Practice Round ticket at no extra cost. As always, kids 12 and under can attend for free, and kids 18 and under are admitted free on Wednesday for Junior Golf Day. The public may call the Tournament Ticket Office 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays at 877-MT BADGE or visit www.thememorialtournament.com to purchase badges. Daily tickets for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday practice rounds are also available. The cost is $30, and they are valid for all three practice-round days.