Archive · 24 Dec 2025
Golf Legend Jumbo Ozaki Dies at 78
Masashi 'Jumbo' Ozaki was a famous golfer from Japan.
He was very good at golf and won a lot of tournaments, including 94 times in Japan.
He was also one of the few Japanese golfers to be put in the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Ozaki started playing golf after he was a baseball player.
He played in many big tournaments around the world and was ranked fifth in the world when he was 49 years old.
He had two younger brothers who were also golfers.
Sadly, Ozaki passed away at the age of 78 after fighting colon cancer.
Masashi 'Jumbo' Ozaki, a legendary Japanese golfer, passed away at 78 after battling colon cancer.
He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011, one of only two Japanese golfers to achieve this honor.
Ozaki won 94 Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) events, the most by any Japanese player.
He achieved a career-high fifth in the world rankings in 1996 at the age of 49 and had top-10 finishes in major championships like the Masters, US Open, and The Open Championship.
Ozaki's brothers, Naomichi (Joe) and Tateo (Jet), were also successful golfers in Japan.
- Who
- Masashi 'Jumbo' Ozaki, a legendary Japanese golfer and World Golf Hall of Fame inductee.
- What
- His passing at the age of 78 after a battle with colon cancer.
- When
- The announcement was made on Wednesday.
- Where
- Japan, where he had a prolific golf career.
- Why
- Ozaki was a significant figure in Japanese and international golf, known for his numerous wins and contributions to the sport.
- Name
- Masashi 'Jumbo' Ozaki
- Age
- 78
- Cause of Death
- Colon cancer
- Career Wins
- 94 JGTO wins
- Hall of Fame Induction
- 2011
- Notable Achievements
- 5th in world rankings (1996), 5 Japan Open wins, 6 Japan PGA Championship wins
- Brothers
- Naomichi (Joe) and Tateo (Jet) Ozaki