Jumbo Into The Hall Of Fame; World Didn't See That One Coming Either

Masashi “Jumbo” Ozaki Elected into World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum

Ozaki to Join Class of 2011 at Induction Ceremony in Florida in May 2011

Tokyo, Japan (Oct. 6, 2010) – World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum will induct Masashi “Jumbo” Ozaki on Monday, May 9, 2011 at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida USA. Ozaki joins the Class of 2011 which includes South Africa native Ernie Els, Americans Doug Ford and former U.S. President George H.W. Bush and Scotland’s late Jock Hutchison.

Ozaki was elected through the World Golf Hall of Fame’s International Ballot.

Jack Peter, chief operating officer of the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum, who was at today’s announcement in Tokyo, said: “Jumbo Ozaki is most deserving of this honor as his long and impressive career shines brightly for golf in Japan and around the world. We look forward to sharing his story in the Hall of Fame & Museum for years to come.”

Ozaki will become the fourth World Golf Hall of Fame member from Japan, joining Hisako “Chako” Higuchi (2003 Inductee), Isao Aoki (2004 Inductee) and Ayako Okamoto (2005 Inductee).

”I am very happy, very honored and appreciate everyone who has supported me since I turned pro in 1970 … but to be honest I feel I am still an active player and I want to keep competing on the Tour,” said Ozaki. “The emergence of players like Ryo Ishikawa force me to keep my game sharp. I am delighted to join the other legends of the Hall. 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."

Born in Tokushima, Ozaki has more than 100 wins in Japan and was the leading money winner on the Japan Golf Tour 12 times since 1973. His career includes competition in more than 40 major championships, which included top-10 showings in the Masters Tournament, U.S. Open and Open Championship. He has won six Japan PGA Championships and five Japan Opens.

Ozaki received 50 percent of the votes on the International Ballot. A complete list of International Ballot results is below. Els was elected through the PGA TOUR Ballot. Ford and Hutchison were Veterans Category selections and President Bush was the Lifetime Achievement selection.

In addition to the celebration of Ozaki’s career at the 2011 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in St. Augustine, Florida USA, the Hall of Fame & Museum will recognize and honor his accomplishments among other greats of the game year-round. Ozaki will have a special inductee display of artifacts and photos, a bronze relief plaque on the Hall of Fame’s “Wall of Fame,” a locker in the “Member Locker Room” exhibition and his autograph etched in granite outside the Hall of Fame & Museum. His name will be added to the Japanese flag which, among 15 other countries, flies outside the Hall of Fame & Museum year-round.

This is just frightening:

Class of 2011 International Ballot Results

Candidate Percentage of Votes
Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki 50%
Sandy Lyle 45%
Colin Montgomerie 29%
Peter Alliss 26%
Ian Woosnam 24%
Graham Marsh 21%
Retief Goosen 20%
Norman Von Nida 16%
Darren Clarke 6%
Max Faulkner 8%