Japan Open Golf Championship
Encyclopedia
The is Japan's national open golf championship. As of 2011, it is one of the three richest tournaments on the Japan Golf Tour
, with a prize fund of ¥
200 million. It is also the tour's designated "Premier event" for the purposes of the Official World Golf Rankings
, with a minimum winner's points allocation of 32 points.
Japan Golf Tour
The Japan Golf Tour is a prominent golf tour. It was founded in 1973 and as of 2006 it offers the third highest annual prize fund out of the regular men's professional tours after the PGA Tour and the European Tour. However since the early 1990s, the growth in prize money has not kept pace with...
, with a prize fund of ¥
Japanese yen
The is the official currency of Japan. It is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market after the United States dollar and the euro. It is also widely used as a reserve currency after the U.S. dollar, the euro and the pound sterling...
200 million. It is also the tour's designated "Premier event" for the purposes of the Official World Golf Rankings
Official World Golf Rankings
The Official World Golf Ranking is a system for rating the performance level of male professional golfers...
, with a minimum winner's points allocation of 32 points.
Winners
- 2011 Bae Sang-moonBae Sang-moonBae Sang-moon is a South Korean professional golfer.Bae turned professional in 2004. He won the 2006 Emerson Pacific Group Open on the Korean Tour, and in 2007 he won the SK Telecom Open, an Asian Tour and Korean Tour co-sanctioned event held in his home country. In 2008, he won his home country's...
- - 2010 Kim Kyung-taeKim Kyung-taeKim Kyung-tae is a South Korean golfer. He won several amateur tournaments, including the 2006 Japan Amateur Championship. He turned professional in late 2006 and he won the 2007 Maekyung Open in his second start on the Asian Tour...
- - 2009 Ryuichi OdaRyuichi OdaRyuichi Oda is a Japanese professional golfer who currently competes on the Japan Golf Tour.Oda was born in Kagoshima Prefecture. He spent much of his amateur career developing his skills at the Kagoshima Country Club...
- - 2008 Shingo KatayamaShingo KatayamaShingo Katayama is a Japanese golfer.Katayama was born in Chikusei, Ibaraki Prefecture. He turned professional in 1995 and has played full time on the Japan Golf Tour since 1997. He topped the Japan Golf Tour money list five times: 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008...
- - 2007 Toru TaniguchiToru Taniguchiis a Japanese professional golfer.Taniguchi was born in Nara. He has won 17 tournaments on the Japan Golf Tour , topped the money list in 2002 and 2007, and is fifth on the career money list...
- - 2006 Paul Sheehan -
- 2005 Shingo KatayamaShingo KatayamaShingo Katayama is a Japanese golfer.Katayama was born in Chikusei, Ibaraki Prefecture. He turned professional in 1995 and has played full time on the Japan Golf Tour since 1997. He topped the Japan Golf Tour money list five times: 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008...
- - 2004 Toru TaniguchiToru Taniguchiis a Japanese professional golfer.Taniguchi was born in Nara. He has won 17 tournaments on the Japan Golf Tour , topped the money list in 2002 and 2007, and is fifth on the career money list...
- - 2003 Keiichiro FukaboriKeiichiro Fukaboriis a Japanese professional golfer who currently plays on the Japan Golf Tour. He has eight wins on the Tour, and had his best year during the 2000 season.Fukabori was born in Tokyo. He turned professional in 1995....
- - 2002 David SmailDavid Smail (golfer)David Smail is a professional golfer from New Zealand.He was born in and resides in Hamilton, New Zealand. He won the New Zealand Open in 2001. He has won five titles on the Japan Golf Tour and has featured in the top 100 of the Official World Golf Rankings...
- - 2001 Taichi TeshimaTaichi TeshimaTaichi Teshima is a Japanese professional golfer.Teshima was born in Fukuoka. He has won six tournaments on the Japan Golf Tour, and featured in the top 100 of the Official World Golf Rankings...
- - 2000 Naomichi OzakiNaomichi Ozaki) is a Japanese professional golfer.Ozaki was born in Tokushima. He turned professional in 1977 and won 32 tournaments on the Japan Golf Tour between 1984 and 2005. He ranks fourth on the list of most Japan Golf Tour wins. He topped the money list in 1991 and 1999...
- - 1999 Naomichi OzakiNaomichi Ozaki) is a Japanese professional golfer.Ozaki was born in Tokushima. He turned professional in 1977 and won 32 tournaments on the Japan Golf Tour between 1984 and 2005. He ranks fourth on the list of most Japan Golf Tour wins. He topped the money list in 1991 and 1999...
- - 1998 Hidemichi TanakaHidemichi Tanakais a Japanese professional golfer.Tanaka was born in Hiroshima. He turned professional in 1991, joined the Japan Golf Tour in 1995 and played mainly on that tour until 2001...
- - 1997 Craig ParryCraig ParryCraig David Parry is an Australian professional golfer. He has been one of Australia's premier golfers since turning professional in 1985, and has 23 career victories, two of those wins being events on the PGA Tour; the 2002 WGC-NEC Invitational and the 2004 Ford Championship at Doral.Parry was...
- - 1996 Peter TeravainenPeter TeravainenPeter Teravainen is a American professional golfer who played mainly outside the U.S.Teravainen was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts. He played college golf at Yale University, graduating in 1978. He turned professional in 1979....
- - 1995 Toshimitsu IzawaToshimitsu IzawaToshimitsu Izawa is a Japanese professional golfer. He is sometimes known outside of Japan as Toshi Izawa.Izawa was born in Kanagawa, attended Nihon Taiiku University, and turned professional in 1989....
- - 1994 Masashi OzakiMasashi Ozakiis a Japanese professional golfer. Ozaki is often known as Jumbo Ozaki on account of his height and length off the tee. He featured in the top ten of the Official World Golf Rankings for almost 200 weeks between 1989 and 1998...
- - 1993 Seiki OkudaSeiki OkudaSeiki Okuda is a Japanese professional golfer.Okuda played on the Japan Golf Tour, winning six times.-Japan Golf Tour wins:*1990 Chushikoku Open*1992 TaylorMade KSB Open, Golf Digest Tournament*1993 Mizuno Open, Japan Open...
- - 1992 Masashi OzakiMasashi Ozakiis a Japanese professional golfer. Ozaki is often known as Jumbo Ozaki on account of his height and length off the tee. He featured in the top ten of the Official World Golf Rankings for almost 200 weeks between 1989 and 1998...
- - 1991 Tsuneyuki NakajimaTsuneyuki NakajimaTsuneyuki "Tommy" Nakajima 20 October 1954) is a Japanese professional golfer.Nakajima was born in Gunma. He turned professional in 1975. He has won 48 events on the Japan Golf Tour, ranking third on the most Japan Golf Tour wins list. He also was the leading money winner four times in five years:...
- - 1990 Tsuneyuki NakajimaTsuneyuki NakajimaTsuneyuki "Tommy" Nakajima 20 October 1954) is a Japanese professional golfer.Nakajima was born in Gunma. He turned professional in 1975. He has won 48 events on the Japan Golf Tour, ranking third on the most Japan Golf Tour wins list. He also was the leading money winner four times in five years:...
- - 1989 Masashi OzakiMasashi Ozakiis a Japanese professional golfer. Ozaki is often known as Jumbo Ozaki on account of his height and length off the tee. He featured in the top ten of the Official World Golf Rankings for almost 200 weeks between 1989 and 1998...
- - 1988 Masashi OzakiMasashi Ozakiis a Japanese professional golfer. Ozaki is often known as Jumbo Ozaki on account of his height and length off the tee. He featured in the top ten of the Official World Golf Rankings for almost 200 weeks between 1989 and 1998...
- - 1987 Isao AokiIsao Aokiis one of Japan's most successful golfers. He was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004.Aoki was born in Abiko, Chiba, Japan. He was introduced to golf while caddying at the Abiko Golf Club as a schoolboy. He turned professional in 1964...
- - 1986 Tsuneyuki NakajimaTsuneyuki NakajimaTsuneyuki "Tommy" Nakajima 20 October 1954) is a Japanese professional golfer.Nakajima was born in Gunma. He turned professional in 1975. He has won 48 events on the Japan Golf Tour, ranking third on the most Japan Golf Tour wins list. He also was the leading money winner four times in five years:...
- - 1985 Tsuneyuki NakajimaTsuneyuki NakajimaTsuneyuki "Tommy" Nakajima 20 October 1954) is a Japanese professional golfer.Nakajima was born in Gunma. He turned professional in 1975. He has won 48 events on the Japan Golf Tour, ranking third on the most Japan Golf Tour wins list. He also was the leading money winner four times in five years:...
- - 1984 Koichi UeharaKoichi UeharaKoichi Uehara is a Japanese professional golfer.Uehara played on the Japan Golf Tour, winning seven times.-Japan Golf Tour wins:*1977 Hokkaido Open*1978 Hokkaido Open, Sanpo Classic*1980 Hokkaido Open*1982 Hokkaido Open...
- - 1983 Isao AokiIsao Aokiis one of Japan's most successful golfers. He was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004.Aoki was born in Abiko, Chiba, Japan. He was introduced to golf while caddying at the Abiko Golf Club as a schoolboy. He turned professional in 1964...
- - 1982 Akira YabeAkira YabeAkira Yabe is a Japanese professional golfer.Yabe played on the Japan Golf Tour, winning five times.-Japan Golf Tour wins:*1978 Kuzuha Kokusai Tournament*1979 Shizuoka Open*1980 Kanto Pro Championship, Descente Hokkoku Open...
- - 1981 Yutaka HagawaYutaka Hagawais a Japanese professional golfer. Hagawa is left-handed golfer.Hagawa played on the Japan Golf Tour, winning five times.-Japan Golf Tour wins:*1981 Japan Open, Nippon Series*1983 Tohoku Classic*1991 Imperial Open, Dydo Shizuoka Open-External links:...
- - 1980 Shoji KikuchiShoji KikuchiShoji Kikuchi is a Japanese professional golfer.Kikuchi played on the Japan Golf Tour, winning once.-External links:...
- - 1979 Kuo Chie-HsiungKuo Chie-HsiungKuo Chie-Hsiung is a Taiwanese professional golfer.Kuo played on the Japan Golf Tour, winning four times. He also played throughout Asia, winning many tournaments.-Japan Golf Tour wins:*1978 Dunlop International Open...
- - 1978 Seve Ballesteros -
- 1977 Seve Ballesteros -
- 1976 Kosaku ShimadaKosaku ShimadaKosaku Shimada is a Japanese professional golfer.Shimada played on the Japan Golf Tour, winning nine times.-Japan Golf Tour wins:*1973 Kansai Pro Championship*1974 Kansai Pro Championship, Tokai Classic*1976 Japan Open...
- - 1975 Takashi MurakamiTakashi Murakami (golfer)Takashi Murakami is a Japanese professional golfer.Murakami was born in Shizuoka. He won 11 tournaments on the Japan Golf Tour and led the money list in 1975.-Japan Golf Tour wins :...
- - 1974 Masashi OzakiMasashi Ozakiis a Japanese professional golfer. Ozaki is often known as Jumbo Ozaki on account of his height and length off the tee. He featured in the top ten of the Official World Golf Rankings for almost 200 weeks between 1989 and 1998...
- - 1973 Ben ArdaBen ArdaBen Arda was a Filipino professional golfer.Arda, known as Bantam Ben and the Toy Tiger because of his small stature, was one of Asia's leading golfers during the 1960s and 1970s. He was the first Filipino to qualify for the Masters Tournament and The Open Championship...
- - 1972 Hon Chang Sang -
- 1971 Yoshimasa Fujii -
- 1970 Mitsuhiro KittaMitsuhiro KittaMitsuhiro Kitta is a Japanese professional golfer.Kitta played on the Japan Golf Tour, winning once. He also won the Japan Open before the establishment of the Tour.-External links:...
- - 1969 Hideyo SugimotoHideyo SugimotoHideyo Sugimoto is a Japanese professional golfer.Sugimoto played on the Japan Golf Tour, winning twice. He also won several pre-Tour events in Japan...
- 1968 Takaaki KonoTakaaki KonoTakaaki Kono was a Japanese professional golfer.Kono played on the Japan Golf Tour, winning twice. He also won several pre-Tour events in Japan and Southeast Asia.-Other wins:*1967 Nippon Series...
- 1967 Tadashi KittaTadashi KittaTadashi Kitta was a Japanese professional golfer.Kitta played on the Japan Golf Tour, winning twice. He won a dozen tournaments in Japan prior to the formation of the Japan Golf Tour and also won the Thailand Open in 1966.-Other wins:*1957 Kansai Pro Championship*1958 Kansai Open*1962 Chunichi...
- 1966 Seichi Sato
- 1965 Tadashi KittaTadashi KittaTadashi Kitta was a Japanese professional golfer.Kitta played on the Japan Golf Tour, winning twice. He won a dozen tournaments in Japan prior to the formation of the Japan Golf Tour and also won the Thailand Open in 1966.-Other wins:*1957 Kansai Pro Championship*1958 Kansai Open*1962 Chunichi...
- 1964 Hideyo SugimotoHideyo SugimotoHideyo Sugimoto is a Japanese professional golfer.Sugimoto played on the Japan Golf Tour, winning twice. He also won several pre-Tour events in Japan...
- 1963 Toichiro Toda
- 1962 Teruo SugiharaTeruo SugiharaTeruo Sugihara is a Japanese professional golfer.Sugihara was born in Osaka. He won 28 tournaments and over 630 million ¥ on the Japan Golf Tour. He also won the 1969 Hong Kong Open.-Japan Golf Tour wins :...
- - 1961 Kenji Hosoishi
- 1960 Haruyoshi Kobari
- 1959 Chen Ching-Po -
- 1958 Torakichi NakamuraTorakichi Nakamurawas a Japanese golfer whose victory, with partner Koichi Ono, at the 1957 Canada Cup outside Tokyo helped to spur a boom in golf in Japan.Nakamura, also known as "Pete", "Tora-san," and "the Putting God", was born in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture and became a caddy at the age of 14. He became a...
- 1957 Haruyoshi Kobari
- 1956 Torakichi NakamuraTorakichi Nakamurawas a Japanese golfer whose victory, with partner Koichi Ono, at the 1957 Canada Cup outside Tokyo helped to spur a boom in golf in Japan.Nakamura, also known as "Pete", "Tora-san," and "the Putting God", was born in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture and became a caddy at the age of 14. He became a...
- 1955 Koichi Ono
- 1954 Yoshiro Hayashi
- 1953 Son Shi-Kin
- 1952 Torakichi NakamuraTorakichi Nakamurawas a Japanese golfer whose victory, with partner Koichi Ono, at the 1957 Canada Cup outside Tokyo helped to spur a boom in golf in Japan.Nakamura, also known as "Pete", "Tora-san," and "the Putting God", was born in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture and became a caddy at the age of 14. He became a...
- 1951 Son Shi-Kin
- 1950 Yoshiro Hayashi
- 1942-1949 No tournament due to World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
- 1941 Tokuharu Nobuhara
- 1940 Tomekichi Miyamoto
- 1939 Toichira Toda
- 1938 Rin(Lin) Man-Puku
- 1937 Chin Sei-Sui
- 1936 Tomekichi Miyamoto
- 1935 Tomekichi Miyamoto
- 1934 No tournament due to flood damage
- 1933 Kodekichi Nakamura
- 1932 Tomekichi Miyamoto
- 1931 Rokuzo Asami
- 1930 Tomekichi Miyamoto
- 1929 Tomekichi Miyamoto
- 1928 Rokuzo Asami
- 1927 Rokuro Akahoshi