If you are the Sony Open in Hawai'i you can't help but watch some of the current and upcoming PGA tournaments with even more of a self-interested eye and impresario's imagination than usual.

The Arnold Palmer Invitational this week, the Masters (April 9 to 12) and Ryo Ishikawa's presence in both conjure up some intriguing possibilities for enhancing the appeal of the 2010 Sony Open.

Not by getting Tiger or Phil Mickelson, although those breakthroughs would be most welcome, too, after an enduring drought. But in investing an exemption in Ishikawa, the up-and-coming phenom from Japan.

When the pros who have competed at Waialae Country Club joked that Tadd Fujikawa should find someone his own age — if not exactly equal size — to pick on they might as well have meant Ishikawa. What Fujikawa has been in Hawai'i, Ishikawa has been in Japan. Times 10.

Dubbed the "Shy Prince" by the ever-present Japan media, the 17-year-old Ishikawa is eight months younger — though six inches taller — than the 5-foot-1 Fujikawa and radiates some of the same charisma.

In Japan, Ishikawa's following is surpassed, perhaps, only by that of Ichiro Suzuki and Daisuke Matsuzaka among sports stars. When Ishikawa played in his first PGA Tour event and greeted the American media with, "Hello, America, I'm Ryo," such was the breathless commentary back in Japan you'd have thought the country's prime minister had made a major policy declaration.

Ishikawa isn't all potential, either. Two years ago he became the youngest player to win a Japan tour event. Two of them. And he's already made one PGA Tour cut, last week's Transitions Championship.

Palmer, who has had a pretty good track record as a spotter of youthful talent, thought enough of Ishikawa to personally extend an invitation to this week's tournament at Bay Hill, where he shot an opening-round 76 yesterday. The Masters, where Ishikawa will be the second youngest pro to play in the tournament, has done likewise.

If you're Sony, those are worth watching because there is a lot that Ishikawa could bring to Waialae, especially in visibility and fans. More than enough, you figure, for the host to be able to look past his sponsorship by rival Panasonic.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.