A Japanese athlete who excelled in both baseball and golf, earning him a unique place in sports history. He won numerous championships and awards in both sports.
Known affectionately as "Jumbo Ozaki," Masashi Ozaki is a Japanese professional golfer renowned for his impressive height and length off the tee. With a record 12 money titles and 94 tournament wins on the Japan Golf Tour, Ozaki is the most successful player of all time on the tour.
Born on January 24, 1947, in Kaifu District, Tokushima, Japan, Ozaki initially pursued a career in professional baseball, playing as a pitcher and outfielder for the Nishitetsu Lions from 1965 to 1967. However, at the age of 23, he made a switch to professional golf, winning the Japan PGA Championship just a year later.
Ozaki's impressive skills on the green earned him a spot in the top ten of the Official World Golf Rankings for almost 200 weeks between 1989 and 1998. He competed in the Masters Tournament 19 times, finishing 8th in 1973, and finished 6th at the U.S. Open in 1989. Ozaki also played occasionally on the PGA Tour from 1972 to 2000, with his best finish being a T4 at the 1993 Memorial Tournament.
In 1996, Ozaki represented the International Team in the Presidents Cup. He also formed the "AON Age" with his rivals Isao Aoki and Tsuneyuki Tommy Nakajima, a testament to the camaraderie and competitive spirit that defined his career.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Ozaki was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. His numerous accolades and records have cemented his status as a golf legend, both in Japan and around the world.
Ozaki comes from a family of golf enthusiasts. His brothers, Tateo Ozaki and Naomichi Ozaki, are also successful touring professional golfers. Even in his later years, Ozaki continued to play occasionally on the Japan Golf Tour, remaining an active and beloved figure in the golf community.
Ozaki's remarkable career has left an indelible mark on the world of golf. His dedication, passion, and talent have inspired generations of golfers, and his legacy continues to grow with each passing year.
84 Years Old
A pioneering Japanese golfer who won numerous international tournaments, including the 1983 Hawaiian Open, and was the first Japanese player to compete in the Masters Tournament.
35 Years Old
A Japanese professional golfer known for being one of the most successful Asian players on the PGA Tour, winning multiple tournaments and earning numerous accolades. He's a trailblazer for Asian golfers in the global golf scene.
