Japanese Golfer Masashi Ozaki Dies at 78

Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki, Japan's most victorious professional golfer with 113 career wins worldwide, died Wednesday in his home country at the age of 78 after a yearlong battle with colon cancer, according to the Japan Golf Tour Organization.

The organization announced Ozaki's passing, noting his profound impact on the sport. Diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer about a year earlier, Ozaki succumbed to the disease, marking the end of a career that spanned nearly three decades of dominance on the Japan Golf Tour. He secured 94 victories there, a record that remains unmatched, with his final triumph coming at the ANA Open in 2002 when he was 55 years old.

Born in 1947, Ozaki earned his nickname "Jumbo" for his powerful drives off the tee, combining raw strength with a distinctive sense of style that captivated fans. He turned professional in 1970 at age 23, following a brief stint in professional baseball. As a standout high school pitcher, he helped lead his team to the 1964 Senbatsu High School Baseball Tournament title. He later played three seasons with the Nishitetsu Lions, excelling as both a pitcher and outfielder, where his potent swing drew comparisons to Babe Ruth.