The son of Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki has confirmed the Japanese golf legend's death at 78 from stage 4 sigmoid colon cancer, following initial reports from the Japan Golf Tour Organization. Ozaki, who won 94 times on the Japan Tour and a record 12 Order of Merit titles, passed away on Tuesday.
Tomoharu Ozaki announced his father's passing on Wednesday via a statement to AFP, noting that Masashi—affectionately known as "Jumbo" for his prodigious driving distance—died on Tuesday after being diagnosed with stage 4 sigmoid colon cancer about a year earlier. He had been receiving treatment at home, and a private funeral for close family is planned.
Building on tributes following the initial announcement, Ozaki's career highlights include his first Japan Tour win in 1973 and induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. The Yomiuri daily described him as having "explosively elevated the popularity of golf in Japan with his overwhelming driving distance and colorful personality."
From a golfing family, his younger brothers Naomichi ("Joe") and Tateo ("Jet") are among the Japan Golf Tour's top all-time money winners.
In a notable late-career feat, Ozaki shot a nine-under-par 62 at age 66 in the 2013 Tsuruya Open's first round. "Shooting my age is not something I try to do," he remarked. "But if you can't shoot 6-under or 7-under par when you play good golf, you don't belong on the tour."
Japan Golf Tour Organization chairman Yutaka Morohoshi stated: "He long steered the men's professional golf world and overwhelmed others with his unparalleled strength." Ozaki's legacy has profoundly shaped Japanese golf.
