Golf
OBITUARY | Jumbo Ozaki, Japan's Winningest Golfer, Dies at 78
During his legendary career, Jumbo Ozaki won 113 golf tournaments, including 94 on the Japan Golf Tour. He became a pro golfer after a brief baseball career.
Jumbo Ozaki amassed legions of fans throughout his successful golf career. A prolific winner on the Japan Golf Tour in the 1970s, '80s and '90s, Ozaki died of colorectal cancer on Tuesday, December 23. He was 78.
Ozaki was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011.
"His unparalleled success and undeniable charisma brought a nation of fans to the game," an announcer declared on a video montage of his career posted on the World Golf Hall of Fame's YouTube channel.
The introduction of his profile on the World Golf Hall of Fame website begins this way: "There are sporting legends in every country that seem to be bigger than life. [And] they make people sit up and take note. Masashi 'Jumbo' Ozaki is just such an athlete. While golf has long been popular in Japan, it was Ozaki who brought a new vitality to the game, and his emergence spawned an unprecedented growth in the game in the country."
Retired golfer Ben Crenshaw shared his perspective of Ozaki on the video tribute.
"He was an early example of a power golfer, tremendously athletic [and] could hit the ball a long way," Crenshaw said.
The 2002 World Hall of Fame inductee added, "He could do everything well."
Ozaki won a record 94 titles on the Japan Golf Tour. He collected his first winner's trophy at the Japan PGA Championship in 1971. In September 2002, he earned his last title at the ANA Open at age 55.
Career Switch From Baseball to Golf
A native of Tokushima Prefecture, Jumbo Ozaki was born on January 24, 1947. Before becoming a professional golfer in 1970, he had a three-year spell as a pro baseball player for NPB's Nishitetsu Lions (now known as the Saitama Seibu Lions) from 1965-67.
During his short baseball career, Ozaki was a pitcher and an outfielder. He made a combined 20 mound appearances in 1965 and '66. In 1967, he was converted into an outfielder and had limited playing time that year (46 plate appearances in 29 games, according to baseball-reference.com).
Baseball influenced Ozaki's approach to golf.
Ryo Ishikawa, who launched his career in 2008, shared insights on the golf legend's trademark style of play.
"Jumbo used to be a baseball player, so he always tried to teach me the link from pitching or hitting to golf," Ishikawa told The Associated Press in a 2010 interview.
Ishikawa added, "Jumbo wanted me to hit the ball far."
A Career Defined by Consistency and Longevity
After securing his first Japan Golf Tour title at age 26, Jumbo Ozaki's career was highlighted by abundant success.
He was the tour's money leader in 12 seasons (1973, 1974, 1977, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1994-98).
Ozaki's accomplishments on the golf course, especially in Japan, also raised his global profile. He reached No 5 in the world rankings in 1996.
Although he didn't win a golf major, Ozaki had a long history of participating in the biggest tournaments.
He made 19 appearances in the Masters. All told, he competed in 49 majors.
Ozaki tied for sixth at the US Open in 1989, his top result at a major. He finished tied for eighth at the Masters in 1973. In addition, he was tied for 10th at the 1979 British Open.
In Memory of Jumbo Ozaki
The news of Ozaki's passing sparked tributes to the golfing great.
"I'm deeply shocked and saddened," 2021 Masters winner Hideki Matsuyama said, according to Daily Sports.
He added, "I want to be someone who can connect the Japanese golf world to the next generation and further invigorate it."
In a social media post, retired women's golfer Ai Miyazato wrote, "The golf world has lost a truly, truly great presence. I still remember the scenes of him winning time and time again, drawing overflowing crowds of spectators."
Miyazato's post continued: "I feel such a deep sense of loss. [And] I wanted to see him again."
Masashige Ikeya, chairman of the Japan Golf Association, issued a statement upon learning of Ozaki's death.
"I offer my deepest condolences on the sudden passing of Masashi Ozaki," Ikeya said in the statement posted on the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation website along with other tributes. "Mr Ozaki’s unparalleled driving distance and delicate short game transcended conventional wisdom and opened up new horizons for golf in Japan. His cheerful personality, beloved by all, greatly broadened the base of golf in Japan and made a significant contribution to the development of golf as a national sport."
Ikeya concluded his statement with a profound observation.
"The name 'Jumbo Ozaki' will forever be etched in the hearts of golfers not only in Japan but around the world," Ikeya said.
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Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.