Japanese golfer Masashi ‘Jumbo’ Ozaki, who spent 200 weeks in the top 10 of the world rankings and had several top 10 finishes in majors, has died at the age of 78
Tributes have begun pouring in for Japanese golfing legend Masashi ‘Jumbo’ Ozaki. Ozaki, a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 78.
The hugely successful Japanese star was a regular in the top 10 of the world rankings throughout the 1990s. His 94 wins on the Japan Golf Tour makes him far and away the most successful golfer in the competition’s history, and his 12 money list titles of the tour were spread over a 25-year period, showing his longevity.
He changed sports from baseball to golf in his 20s, turning pro at the age of 23, and played in all four major championships as well as spending years on his home tour. Ozaki secured top-10 finishes in the Open, the Masters and the US Open, where a sixth place finish in 1989 was his best major result.
Familiar figures from the golf world have paid tribute to the star, who was known as ‘Jumbo’ for his distance off the tee. “I was left speechless upon hearing the sudden news of his passing. The golf world has lost a truly great man,” Japan Golf Tour Organization and former chairman Yutaka Morohoshi – a former classmate of Ozaki – said.
“It is far too soon. However, Jumbo’s legacy will will undoubtedly be carried on. Rest in peace.”
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A number of fans have shared their own tributes to the star. “He’s was the best golfer Japan has produced,” one wrote on social media. “He was a legend. Loved watching him & his brothers. Especially at The Masters,” wrote another.
Others shared personal stories about ‘Jumbo’, with one writing: “He was kind. Cool. Hit balls with me when I was a little guy. His business partners owned part of our club, warm up spot a couple of hours from Augusta.”
In the PGA Tour’s tribute, Ozaki received praise for his success on his home tour alongside his brothers. “Ozaki’s exploits may have been lesser known on the world stage, as he competed and won mostly in Japan. But he was a larger-than-life figure in his home country and was largely credited with renewed popularity of the game and the JGTO with his go-for-broke playing style and charisma,” the tribute read.
“He even branched out to become a recording artist, with three singles reaching the Japanese pop charts in the late ’80s. His two younger brothers, Naomichi (“Joe”) and Tateo (“Jet”), were successful in their own right, finishing among the JGTO’s all-time money winners.”
