The gene pool was strong in the Ozaki family.
Brian Watts won 12 times on the Japan Golf Tour, making him more than qualified to comment on the stature of Masashi “Jumbo” Ozaki on the game in his native Japan. Watts once told former Golfweek senior writer Jeff Rude that Ozaki was bigger in Japan than Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus combined in the U.S.
Ozaki, the winningest golfer on the Japanese circuit, died on Wednesday from cancer at age 78.
The gene pool was strong in the Ozaki family. While Jumbo won a record 94 tour titles, his younger brother Takeo, nicknamed Jet, won 15 times.
"I think that most brothers go their separate ways, but my brothers and I happened to be in the same profession and were able to stay together for about 70 years,” Jet said in a story posted on the website of the Japan Golf Tour. “I have never experienced life without my brother, so I think the years ahead will be lonelier and more difficult than ever. You have always been with me and taught me everything. Thank you, big brother!"
Jumbo’s youngest brother, Naomichi, or Joe, won 32 titles. That included the 1999 Japan Pro, where he was the victor, Jumbo came in second, and Jet came in third. Joe won the circuit’s money title that season, ending Jumbo’s string of five in a row while keeping it in the family.
“Rather than professional golfer Jumbo Ozaki, I am reminded of my older brother from Tokushima. He won the high school baseball championship, became a professional baseball player, and rebuilt the Ozaki family home. I don't think I could have become professional golfer Naomichi Ozaki without my older brother giving up baseball to pursue golf and teaching me the sport of golf, and I am so grateful to him for that. Thank you, big brother!" Joe wrote.
The Ozaki brothers mourn the loss of big brother, who was a larger-than-life figure in Japan’s rich golfing history.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Jet, Joe Ozaki mourn death of Masashi 'Jumbo' Ozaki, 78
Category: General Sports
