Japanese golfer Jumbo Ozaki has died at the age of 78 after battling colon cancer.
The Japanese golfer has achieved a wealth of success in his career, and his 94 Japan Golf Tour titles are a testament to how important a figure he was in the world of golf.
He has played not only on Japanese soil but around the world in his career. His only win outside of Japan was at the New Zealand PGA Championship in 1972.
He has also represented Japan in major tournaments and has never hidden how much he enjoys representing his country and how much of an honor it is.
I am very happy, very honored and appreciate everyone who has supported me since I turned pro in 1970, Ozaki said.
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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 honor.
There is no doubt that Ozaki was the reason why many kids in Japan started training in this sport, while some probably became professionals years later.
Hall of Fame
The veteran Japanese golfer was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011, saying that although he had aspired to play outside of Japan, he was happy to be a role model for the younger generation of Japanese golfers and to have left such a big mark.
Ozaki had the opportunity to play in major tournaments, and his best result was T6 at the 1989 US Open.Ozaki had the potential for much bigger things, but fierce competition did not allow him to take a step further.
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His friends immediately reacted, expressing their condolences through messages, and most emphasized that Ozaki was a man of broad vision, always ready to help and be a role model for the younger generations. Ozaki, with his charisma, courage and lust for life, caused only positive reactions and admiration, and certainly his death is a great loss for the world of golf.
