TOKYO, August 18, 2009 (AFP) - Japan's teenage star Ryo Ishikawa said Tuesday he would try to emulate South Korean Yang Yong-Eun's success at the US PGA Championship to blaze the trail for Asian golfers.

"I believe his victory changed people's views of Asian golfers," the 17-year-old told reporters as he returned home from the season's final major tournament where he finished tied for 56th spot at eight-over-par 296.

The 37-year-old Yang came from behind to upset world number-one Tiger Woods by three strokes on Sunday, becoming the first Asian to win a men's major.

"I didn't think I could win someday because he won. But I'd like to be in title contention in a big tournament like that," Ishikawa told Kyodo News.

"That's why I've been training hard and will continue to do so," he added.

Ishikawa was the youngest competitor in US PGA Championship history at Chaska, Minnesota and made the cut for the first time in his three major outings.

He bowed out halfway through at the Masters in April and at the British Open last month.

The Tokyo high school student, leading the Japan Tour money list with two wins, said he was ready to play all the remaining 15 domestic tournaments this season.

"Now the race is on for the money title. I hope to stay in the race until the end of the season. My motivation level has really gone up," Ishikawa said.

He has revived the Japanese men's game after becoming the youngest winner of any event on the world's six major tours in 2007 when he won the domestic KSB Cup as an amateur at 15 years.

He finished fifth in last year's Japan Tour money rankings in his rookie season as a pro and made his US PGA debut this year.