Masashi ‘Jumbo’ Ozaki, Japan’s greatest golfer, dies at age 78
Known as Jumbo for his length off the tee, Ozaki won 114 tournaments over the course of his distinguished career
Masashi Ozaki, widely considered Japan’s greatest golfer, has died from cancer. He was 78.
The Japan Golf Tour Organisation said Ozaki had been diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer about a year ago and had succumbed to the disease on Tuesday.
Often referred to as “Jumbo” because of his length off the tee, Ozaki first started his career as a baseball player, playing for the Seibu Lions from 1965. However, he eventually transitioned to golf, turning professional at 23 years old and winning the Japan PGA Championship the next season.
“What made him charismatic was the fact that he won four times in which he came back from eight shots behind,” the JGTO website said of Ozaki. “He performed miraculously a number of times.”
Ozaki won 114 tournaments over the course of his career. In 1973, he became the first Japanese golfer to rank in the top 10 at the Masters, finishing eighth. He won the money title a total of 12 times, including five consecutive years starting in 1994. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011.
“I am very happy, very honoured and appreciate everyone who has supported me since I turned pro in 1970,” Ozaki said when he was elected. “My only regret is not playing more outside of Japan, but I dedicated my life to Japanese golf and am extremely grateful the voters thought I was worthy of this honour.”