November 29, 2023 – After a remarkable first season on the DP World Tour, Team TaylorMade’s Ryo Hisatsune was crowned Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year.

Ryo Hisatsune may be a name unfamiliar with some, but his rookie season on the DP World Tour put him into the history books as the first Japanese player to be named Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year.

“I’m so happy, it’s a surprise. This season has been such an experience on the DP world Tour, it’s been so exciting”, said Ryo Hisatsune.

Ryo earned his 2023 DP World Tour playing privileges by finishing seventh at Qualifying School Final Stage in November 2022 and blasted onto the DP World Tour in style by sharing second place at the season-opening Fortinet Australian PGA Championship. He then went on to claim his maiden victory at the Cazoo Open de France and seven other top ten finishes to end the year 17^th in the Race to Dubai rankings and, in doing so, claimed dual membership on the PGA Tour, the first year this was available on the DP World Tour.

“Winning the Open de France was amazing for me. I’ve been working so hard and it was such a good result. I was so happy and very honoured to become a Japanese winner on the DP World Tour”, he said.

“Working with Ryo this year has been an absolute pleasure. He has not been phased at all by being out of his comfort zone on a different continent and he’s always fun to be around. Fairways and greens were the secret to his consistency this year, which shows in his impressive results. Of course, we were all so thrilled when his consistent season transferred into a well-deserved win in France. Ryo is diligent with his approach and doesn’t switch equipment easily, but he always appreciated our input and the work going into helping him settle and play well here in Europe”, adds Mark Thistleton, TaylorMade Tour representative.

Ryo became the first Japanese player to win in Continental Europe in more than 40 years with a breakthrough title in the Cazoo Open de France at Le Golf National. With this win he moved into the top 100 on the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time.

The Japanese had a stroke average of 69.91 during the 2023 season, one of only 12 players on the DP World Tour to achieve a sub 70 stroke average. He finished the season by sharing 18th position in the DP World Tour Championship. Ryo finished 17th in the 2023 Race to Dubai Rankings, taking the tenth and final available PGA Tour card. Also he is 81^st in the Official World Golf Rankings.

What is in Ryo Hisatsune golf bag?

• Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (10,5º)
• Fairway woods: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus 3 (16,5º); Stealth 2 7 (21,0º)
• Irons: TaylorMade P7MC (4-PW)
• Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (52º/09º, 60º/TW), MG3 (56º/12º)
• Golf Ball: TaylorMade TP5x