Japan Golf Tour
Encyclopedia
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 (that is not for seniors) 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 that on the two larger tours. Official events on the Japan Golf Tour count for World Golf Ranking
points, and success on the tour can also qualify members to play in the majors
.
Most of the leading players on the tour are Japan
ese, but players from many other countries also participate. The tour is currently run by the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO), which was established in 1999. The JGTO also organises a developmental tour called the Japan Challenge Tour
.
Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki has been the dominant player on tour, leading the career wins list
with 94, the career money list with over 2 billion ¥
, and winning the money title twelve times between 1973 and 1998.
and the World Golf Championships
). All tournaments are played in Japan.
events. All of the players who have topped the money list were Japanese nationals, except for the Japanese American
David Ishii, but Korean Kim Kyung-tae
became the first golfer with non-Japanese origin to top the money list.
from 1998 onwards and in the individual World Golf Championships
events from their introduction in 1999. The leading non-Japanese money winner on the tour is Japanese-American David Ishii
with earnings of over 800 million ¥
. The leading non ethnic-Japanese player is the Filipino Frankie Miñoza
with earnings of over 670 million ¥ (23rd place).
There is a full list on the Japan Golf Tour's website here.
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
tour
Professional golf tours
Professional golf tours are the means by which otherwise unconnected professional golf tournaments are organised into a regular schedule. There are separate tours for men and women, with each tour being based in a specific geographical region, although some of their tournaments may be held in other...
. It was founded in 1973 and as of 2006 it offers the third highest annual prize fund out of the regular (that is not for seniors) men's professional tours after the PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
and the European Tour. However since the early 1990s, the growth in prize money has not kept pace with that on the two larger tours. Official events on the Japan Golf Tour count for World Golf Ranking
Official World Golf Rankings
The Official World Golf Ranking is a system for rating the performance level of male professional golfers...
points, and success on the tour can also qualify members to play in the majors
Men's major golf championships
The men's major golf championships, commonly known as the Major Championships, and often referred to simply as the majors, are the four most prestigious annual tournaments in professional golf...
.
Most of the leading players on the tour are Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese, but players from many other countries also participate. The tour is currently run by the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO), which was established in 1999. The JGTO also organises a developmental tour called the Japan Challenge Tour
Japan Challenge Tour
The Japan Challenge Tour is a series of developmental golf tournaments run by the Japan Golf Tour Organisation. It has been in operation since 1985...
.
Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki has been the dominant player on tour, leading the career wins list
Golfers with most Japan Golf Tour wins
This is a list of golfers who have won 10 or more events on the Japan Golf Tour since it was established in 1973. The official Japan Golf Tour website lists winners beginning with the 1985 season...
with 94, the career money list with over 2 billion ¥
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...
, and winning the money title twelve times between 1973 and 1998.
2011 Schedule
The table below shows the 2011 schedule. The number in brackets after each winner's name is the number of Japan Golf Tour events he had won up to and including that tournament. This information is only shown for Japan Golf Tour members (does not include the four major golf championshipsMen's major golf championships
The men's major golf championships, commonly known as the Major Championships, and often referred to simply as the majors, are the four most prestigious annual tournaments in professional golf...
and the World Golf Championships
World Golf Championships
The World Golf Championships are a group of four annual events for male professional golfers created by the International Federation of PGA Tours, with a fifth to be added in 2012...
). All tournaments are played in Japan.
| Dates | Tournament | Location | Prize fund (￥ 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... ) | Winner | OWGR Official World Golf Rankings The Official World Golf Ranking is a system for rating the performance level of male professional golfers... pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 14–17 | Token Homemate Cup Token Homemate Cup The is a golf tournament on the Japan Golf Tour. It has been played annually since 1990. It is usually the first event played on the Japan Golf Tour season. The tournament record is 267 . It was set by Wayne Perske in 2006. The course measures 7,081 yards and the par is 71... |
Mie Mie Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan which is part of the Kansai regions on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Tsu.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, Mie prefecture was known as Ise Province and Iga Province.... |
130,000,000 |  Tadahiro TakayamaTadahiro Takayama is a Japanese professional golfer.Takayama was born in Wakayama. He took up golf at eighteen, an unusually advanced age for a future professional, and turned pro three years later... (4) |
20 |
| Apr 21–24 | Tsuruya Open Tsuruya Open The is a golf tournament on the Japan Golf Tour. It has been played annually since 1994. The tournament's to-par record is -17 set by Katsumasa Miyamoto in 1998. The aggregate record is 268 set by Brendan Jones in 2007. The course measures 6,770 yards and the par is 71... |
Hyōgo Hyogo Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is Kobe.The prefecture's name was previously alternately spelled as Hiogo.- History :... |
120,000,000 | Tomohiro Kondo Tomohiro Kondo Tomohiro Kondo is a Japanese professional golfer.Kondo was born in Aichi Prefecture. He won the gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games.After turning professional, Kondo joined the Japan Golf Tour... (5) |
22 |
| Apr 28 – May 1 | The Crowns The Crowns is a golf tournament on the Japan Golf Tour. The official Japanese name of this competition is "".The tournament record is 260 . It was set by Masashi Ozaki in 1995. The tournament has been played at the Wago Course at the Nagoya Golf Club since the tournament's inception in 1960. The course... |
Aichi Aichi Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region. The region of Aichi is also known as the Tōkai region. The capital is Nagoya. It is the focus of the Chūkyō Metropolitan Area.- History :... |
120,000,000 |  Brendan Jones (10) |
18 |
| May 12–15 | Japan PGA Championship Nissin Cupnoodle Cup | Hyogo Hyogo Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is Kobe.The prefecture's name was previously alternately spelled as Hiogo.- History :... |
150,000,000 | Hiroo Kawai Hiroo Kawai is a Japanese professional golfer.Kawai has played on the Japan Golf Tour since 1997. He has one win on tour, the 2011 Japan PGA Championship Nissin Cupnoodle Cup.-External links:... (1) |
22 |
| May 19–22 | Totoumi Hamamatsu Open Totoumi Hamamatsu Open The is a golf tournament on the Japan Golf Tour. It was first played in 2011. It is played at the Grandee Hamanako Golf Club in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture. In 2011, the purse was ￥100,000,000 with ￥20,000,000 going to the winner.-External links:*... |
Shizuoka Shizuoka Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Shizuoka.- History :Shizuoka prefecture was formed from the former Tōtōmi, Suruga and Izu provinces.The area was the home of the first Tokugawa Shogun... |
100,000,000 | Masanori Kobayashi Masanori Kobayashi is a Japanese professional golfer.Kobayashi has played on the Japan Golf Tour since 1999. He won his first event in 2011 at the Totoumi Hamamatsu Open. He also won two events on the Japan Challenge Tour in 2000.-External links:... (1) |
18 |
| May 26–29 | Diamond Cup Golf Diamond Cup Golf is an annual golf tournament on the Japan Golf Tour. The tournament is played in May. Since its founding in 1973 the event has traveled throughout Japan; different courses have hosted the event on all four major islands... |
Chiba Chiba Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region and the Greater Tokyo Area. Its capital is Chiba City.- History :Chiba Prefecture was established on June 15, 1873 with the merger of Kisarazu Prefecture and Inba Prefecture... |
120,000,000 | Koumei Oda Koumei Oda is a Japanese professional golfer.Oda was born in Tagawa, Fukuoka. He turned professional in 2000.Oda won the 2008 Casio World Open and the 2009 Token Homemate Cup. He competed in the 2009 Open Championship at Turnberry, but failed to make the cut, finishing day two at 14 over par. He retained the... (5) |
22 |
| Jun 2–5 | Japan Golf Tour Championship Citibank Cup Shishido Hills | Ibaraki Ibaraki Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan, located in the Kantō region on the main island of Honshu. The capital is Mito.-History:Ibaraki Prefecture was previously known as Hitachi Province... |
150,000,000 |  Park Jae-bumPark Jae-bum Park Jae-bum is a South Korean professional golfer.Park has played on the Japan Golf Tour since 2010. He won his first event at the 2011 Japan Golf Tour Championship Citibank Cup Shishido Hills.-Japan Golf Tour wins :... (1) |
18 |
| Jun 23–26 | Gateway to the Open Mizuno Open | Hyōgo Okayama Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Okayama.- History :During the Meiji Restoration, the area of Okayama Prefecture was known as Bitchū Province, Bizen Province and Mimasaka Province.- Geography :... |
110,000,000 | Hwang Jung-gon Hwang Jung-gon Hwang Jung-gon is a South Korean professional golfer.Hwang plays on the Japan Golf Tour and won his first event at the 2011 Gateway to the Open Mizuno Open. This win earned him entry into the 2011 Open Championship where he finished 71st.... (1) |
22 |
| Jul 21–24 | Nagashima Shigeo Invitational Sega Sammy Cup Nagashima Shigeo Invitational Sega Sammy Cup The is a golf tournament on the Japan Golf Tour. It has been played annually at The North Country Golf Club near Chitose, Hokkaido since 2005.The tournament record is -16 . It was set by Hiroyuki Fujita in 2009.... |
Hokkaidō Hokkaido , formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel... |
130,000,000 | Kim Kyung-tae Kim Kyung-tae Kim 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... (4) |
20 |
| Jul 28–31 | Sun Chlorella Classic Sun Chlorella Classic The is a golf tournament on the Japan Golf Tour. It has been played annually since 2000. The tournament record is −19 . It was set by Christian Pena in 2002. In 2011, it was played from 28–31 July... |
Hokkaidō Hokkaido , formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel... |
150,000,000 | Yuta Ikeda Yuta Ikeda Yuta Ikeda is a Japanese professional golfer. He has played on the Japan Golf Tour since 2008 where he has won eight tournaments... (9) |
18 |
| Aug 18–21 | Kansai Open Golf Championship Kansai Open The is a golf tournament in Japan. It was an event on the Japan Golf Tour from 1973 to 1991 and returned again in 2009. The 2010 event was the 76th edition... |
Hyogo Hyogo Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is Kobe.The prefecture's name was previously alternately spelled as Hiogo.- History :... |
50,000,000 | Cho Min-gyu Cho Min-gyu Cho Min-gyu is a South Korean professional golfer.Cho plays on the Japan Golf Tour where he has won once.-External links:... (1) |
16 |
| Aug 25–28 | Vana H Cup KBC Augusta | Fukuoka Fukuoka Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located on Kyūshū Island. The capital is the city of Fukuoka.- History :Fukuoka Prefecture includes the former provinces of Chikugo, Chikuzen, and Buzen.... |
110,000,000 | Bae Sang-moon Bae Sang-moon Bae 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... (1) |
20 |
| Sep 1–4 | Fujisankei Classic Fujisankei Classic The is an annual golf event on the Japan Golf Tour. It was first played in 1973 on the Takasaka Country Club - Yoneyama Course. The tournament moved to the Higashi-Matsuyama Golf Club in 1979 and to the Kawana Hotel's Fuji course in 1981. The tournament has been held at the Fujizakura Country Club... |
Yamanashi Yamanashi Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of the island of Honshū. The capital is the city of Kōfu.-Pre-history to the 14th century:People have been living in the Yamanashi area for about 30,000 years... |
110,000,000 | Masatsugu Morofuji Masatsugu Morofuji is a Japanese professional golfer.Morofuji plays on the Japan Golf Tour where he has won once.-External links:... (1) |
16 |
| Sep 8–11 | Toshin Golf Tournament in LakeWood Toshin Golf Tournament in LakeWood The is a golf tournament on the Japan Golf Tour. It was first played in 2010. It is played at the Toshin Lake Wood Golf Club in Tsu, Mie. The purse for the 2011 event was ¥70,000,000, with ¥14,000,000 going to the winner.-External links:*... |
Mie Mie Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan which is part of the Kansai regions on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Tsu.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, Mie prefecture was known as Ise Province and Iga Province.... |
70,000,000 | Lee Dong-hwan Lee Dong-hwan Lee Dong-hwan is a South Korean professional golfer.Lee plays on the Japan Golf Tour where he has won twice.-Japan Golf Tour wins:*2007 Gateway to the Open Mizuno Open Yomiuri Classic*2011 Toshin Golf Tournament in LakeWood... (2) |
16 |
| Sep 15–18 | ANA Open ANA Open The is a Japan Golf Tour event. ANA is an acronym for All Nippon Airways, the tournament's sponsor. First played in 1973, it is usually held in September each year. The host venues are the Sapporo golf club Wattsu and Yuni courses. The tournament record is 268 , set by Masashi Ozaki in 1994... |
Hokkaidō Hokkaido , formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel... |
110,000,000 | Kurt Barnes Kurt Barnes Kurt Barnes is an Australian professional golfer.Barnes was born in Muswellbrook, New South Wales. He had a successful amateur career which included victories in the 2002 Australian Amateur, the 2003 Riversdale Cup, which he won with a record 22 under par total, and the 2003 New Zealand Amateur... (1) |
22 |
| Sep 22–25 | Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open The is a golf tournament for male golfers on the Japan Golf Tour and Asian Tour. Hosted by Panasonic, Asia Pacific Golf Confederation and Japan Golf Association, the event took place for the first time in September 2008 at Ibaraki Country Club in Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan.-Winners:Note: 2010... |
Shiga Shiga Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan, which forms part of the Kansai region on Honshu Island. The capital is the city of Ōtsu.- History :Shiga was known as Ōmi Province or Gōshū before the prefectural system was established... |
150,000,000 | Tetsuji Hiratsuka Tetsuji Hiratsuka is a Japanese professional golfer.Hiratsuka was born in Kyoto, Japan. He has won six times on the Japan Golf Tour. He represented Japan at the 2007 Omega Mission Hills World Cup with Hideto Tanihara.-Japan Golf Tour wins :*2003 Golf Nippon Series JT Cup... (6) |
22 |
| Sep 29 – Oct 2 | Coca-Cola Tokai Classic Coca-Cola Tokai Classic The is an annual event on the Japan Golf Tour. It is usually played in October and in recent years at the Miyoshi Country Club West Course, Miyoshi, Aichi. It was founded in 1970. In 2011, it was played September 29 to October 2. The course measured 7,310 yards and the par was 72... |
Aichi Aichi Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region. The region of Aichi is also known as the Tōkai region. The capital is Nagoya. It is the focus of the Chūkyō Metropolitan Area.- History :... |
120,000,000 | Bae Sang-moon Bae Sang-moon Bae 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... (2) |
18 |
| Oct 6–9 | Canon Open Canon Open The is an annual event on the Japan Golf Tour. It was played for the first time in October 2008. It is played at the Totsuka Country Club in Totsuka-ku, Yokohama. The 2011 purse was ¥150,000,000 with ¥30,000,000 going to the winner.-Winners:-External links:*... |
Kanagawa Kanagawa Prefecture is a prefecture located in the southern Kantō region of Japan. The capital is Yokohama. Kanagawa is part of the Greater Tokyo Area.-History:The prefecture has some archaeological sites going back to the Jōmon period... |
150,000,000 | Kenichi Kuboya Kenichi Kuboya Kenichi Kuboya is a Japanese professional golfer.Kuboya won four events on the Japan Golf Tour between 1997 and 2002, picking up two wins in each of those seasons.... (5) |
20 |
| Oct 13–16 | Japan Open Golf Championship Japan Open Golf Championship 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... |
Chiba Chiba Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region and the Greater Tokyo Area. Its capital is Chiba City.- History :Chiba Prefecture was established on June 15, 1873 with the merger of Kisarazu Prefecture and Inba Prefecture... |
200,000,000 | Bae Sang-moon Bae Sang-moon Bae 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... (3) |
32 |
| Oct 20–23 | Bridgestone Open Bridgestone Open The is a golf tournament on the Japan Golf Tour. It was first played in 1972 at the Mitsukaido Golf Club. In 1973, the event moved to the Tokyo Yomiuri Country Club. Since 1974 it has held at the Sodegaura Country Club. The tournament record is 266 , set by Taichi Teshima in 2006... |
Chiba Chiba Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region and the Greater Tokyo Area. Its capital is Chiba City.- History :Chiba Prefecture was established on June 15, 1873 with the merger of Kisarazu Prefecture and Inba Prefecture... |
150,000,000 | Toru Taniguchi Toru Taniguchi is 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... (17) |
22 |
| Oct 27–30 | Mynavi ABC Championship Mynavi ABC Championship The is an annual event on the Japan Golf Tour. It is played at the ABC Golf Club in Katō, Hyōgo, usually in October. It was founded in 1973 as a Japan vs. United States team match . In 1988, it became a full-field individual event... |
Hyōgo Hyogo Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is Kobe.The prefecture's name was previously alternately spelled as Hiogo.- History :... |
150,000,000 | Koichiro Kawano Koichiro Kawano Koichiro Kawano is a Japanese professional golfer.Kawano plays on the Japan Golf Tour, where he has won once.-External links:... (1) |
22 |
| Nov 10–13 | Mitsui Sumitomo VISA Taiheiyo Masters Mitsui Sumitomo VISA Taiheiyo Masters is an annual golf tournament on the Japan Golf Tour. It is played in November and in recent years at the Taiheiyo Club, Gotenba Course, Gotenba, Shizuoka and attracts some of the leading international golfers. It was founded in 1972... |
Shizuoka Shizuoka Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Shizuoka.- History :Shizuoka prefecture was formed from the former Tōtōmi, Suruga and Izu provinces.The area was the home of the first Tokugawa Shogun... |
150,000,000 | Hideki Matsuyama Hideki Matsuyama Hideki Matsuyama is a Japanese amateur golfer, who at age 18, won the 2010 Asian Amateur Championship.... (1, am) |
26 |
| Nov 17–20 | Dunlop Phoenix | Miyazaki Miyazaki Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. The capital is the city of Miyazaki.- History :Historically, after the Meiji Restoration, Hyūga Province was renamed Miyazaki Prefecture.... |
200,000,000 | Toshinori Muto Toshinori Muto Toshinori Muto is a Japanese professional golfer.Muto was born in Gunma Prefecture. He currently plays on the Japan Golf Tour where he has won four times between 2006 and 2011.-Japan Golf Tour wins :*2006 Munsingwear Open KSB Cup... (4) |
28 |
| Nov 24–27 | Casio World Open Casio World Open The is an annual event on the Japan Golf Tour. It is played in November and attracts some of the leading international golfers. It was founded in 1981... |
Kōchi Kochi Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located on the south coast of Shikoku. The capital is the city of Kōchi.- History :Prior to the Meiji Restoration, Kōchi was known as Tosa Province and was controlled by the Chosokabe clan in the Sengoku period and the Yamauchi family during the Edo period.- Geography... |
200,000,000 | Tadahiro Takayama Tadahiro Takayama is a Japanese professional golfer.Takayama was born in Wakayama. He took up golf at eighteen, an unusually advanced age for a future professional, and turned pro three years later... (5) |
16 |
| Dec 1–4 | Golf Nippon Series JT Cup Golf Nippon Series JT Cup The is an annual event on the Japan Golf Tour. It has been played since 1963. It has been played since at least 1985 at the Tokyo Yomiuri Country Club. The purse for the 2011 event was ¥130,000,000, with ¥40,000,000 going to the winner. It has recently been one of the last events of the season... |
Tokyo Tokyo , ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family... |
130,000,000 |
Money list winners
The official prize money list on the Japan Golf Tour includes money won by members in the majors and the World Golf ChampionshipsWorld Golf Championships
The World Golf Championships are a group of four annual events for male professional golfers created by the International Federation of PGA Tours, with a fifth to be added in 2012...
events. All of the players who have topped the money list were Japanese nationals, except for the Japanese American
Japanese American
are American people of Japanese heritage. Japanese Americans have historically been among the three largest Asian American communities, but in recent decades have become the sixth largest group at roughly 1,204,205, including those of mixed-race or mixed-ethnicity...
David Ishii, but Korean Kim Kyung-tae
Kim Kyung-tae
Kim 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...
became the first golfer with non-Japanese origin to top the money list.
| Year | Player | Prize Money (¥ 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... ) |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Bae Sang-moon Bae Sang-moon Bae 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... |
151,078,958 |
| 2010 | Kim Kyung-tae Kim Kyung-tae Kim 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... |
181,103,799 |
| 2009 | Ryo Ishikawa Ryo Ishikawa , also known by the nickname "Hanikami Ōji" , is a Japanese professional golfer.On 20 May 2007, Ishikawa became the youngest winner ever of a men's regular tournament on the Japan Golf Tour by winning the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup at the age 15 years and 8 months. He competed as an amateur and it... |
183,524,051 |
| 2008 | Shingo Katayama Shingo Katayama Shingo 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... |
180,094,895 |
| 2007 | Toru Taniguchi Toru Taniguchi is 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... |
171,744,498 |
| 2006 | Shingo Katayama Shingo Katayama Shingo 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... |
178,402,190 |
| 2005 | Shingo Katayama Shingo Katayama Shingo 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... |
134,075,280 |
| 2004 | Shingo Katayama Shingo Katayama Shingo 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... |
119,512,374 |
| 2003 | Toshimitsu Izawa Toshimitsu Izawa Toshimitsu 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.... |
135,454,300 |
| 2002 | Toru Taniguchi Toru Taniguchi is 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... |
145,440,341 |
| 2001 | Toshimitsu Izawa Toshimitsu Izawa Toshimitsu 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.... |
217,934,583 |
| 2000 | Shingo Katayama Shingo Katayama Shingo 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... |
177,116,489 |
| 1999 | Naomichi "Joe" Ozaki | 137,641,796 |
| 1998 | Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki | 179,627,400 |
| 1997 | Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki | 170,847,633 |
| 1996 | Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki | 209,646,746 |
| 1995 | Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki | 192,319,800 |
| 1994 | Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki | 215,468,000 |
| 1993 | Hajime Meshiai Hajime Meshiai is a Japanese professional golfer.Meshiai was born in Chiba. He turned professional in 1978. He won 11 tournaments on the Japan Golf Tour and led the money list in 1993... |
148,718,200 |
| 1992 | Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki | 186,816,466 |
| 1991 | Naomichi "Joe" Ozaki | 119,507,974 |
| 1990 | Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki | 129,060,500 |
| 1989 | Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki | 108,715,733 |
| 1988 | Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki | 125,162,540 |
| 1987 |  David IshiiDavid Ishii David S. Ishii is an American golfer of Japanese descent.Ishii grew up on the island of Kauai in Hawaii and graduated from Kauai High School. He turned professional in 1979. He led the money list on the Japan Golf Tour in 1987... |
86,554,421 |
| 1986 | Tsuneyuki "Tommy" Nakajima | 90,202,066 |
| 1985 | Tsuneyuki "Tommy" Nakajima | 101,609,333 |
| 1984 | Shinsaku Maeda Shinsaku Maeda Shinsaku Maeda is a Japanese professional golfer. He won eight tournaments on the Japan Golf Tour and led the money list in 1984.-Japan Golf Tour wins :*1975 KBC Augusta*1976 Kansai Open, Kansai Pro Championship, Nippon Series... |
57,040,357 |
| 1983 | Tsuneyuki "Tommy" Nakajima | 85,514,183 |
| 1982 | Tsuneyuki "Tommy" Nakajima | 68,220,640 |
| 1981 | Isao Aoki Isao Aoki is 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... |
57,262,941 |
| 1980 | Isao Aoki Isao Aoki is 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... |
60,532,660 |
| 1979 | Isao Aoki Isao Aoki is 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... |
45,554,211 |
| 1978 | Isao Aoki Isao Aoki is 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... |
62,987,200 |
| 1977 | Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki | 35,932,608 |
| 1976 | Isao Aoki Isao Aoki is 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... |
40,985,801 |
| 1975 | Takashi Murakami Takashi 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 :... |
38,705,551 |
| 1974 | Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki | 41,846,908 |
| 1973 | Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki | 43,814,000 |
Multiple money list titles
The following players have won more than one money list title through 2010:- 12: Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki
- 5: 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...
, 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... - 4: Tsuneyuki "Tommy" Nakajima
- 2: 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....
, Naomichi "Joe" Ozaki, 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...
Career money leaders
The table shows the top ten career money leaders on the Japan Golf Tour through the 2010 season. The figures shown include money won in the four global major championshipsMen's major golf championships
The men's major golf championships, commonly known as the Major Championships, and often referred to simply as the majors, are the four most prestigious annual tournaments in professional golf...
from 1998 onwards and in the individual World Golf Championships
World Golf Championships
The World Golf Championships are a group of four annual events for male professional golfers created by the International Federation of PGA Tours, with a fifth to be added in 2012...
events from their introduction in 1999. The leading non-Japanese money winner on the tour is Japanese-American David Ishii
David Ishii
David S. Ishii is an American golfer of Japanese descent.Ishii grew up on the island of Kauai in Hawaii and graduated from Kauai High School. He turned professional in 1979. He led the money list on the Japan Golf Tour in 1987...
with earnings of over 800 million ¥
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...
. The leading non ethnic-Japanese player is the Filipino Frankie Miñoza
Frankie Miñoza
Frankie Miñoza is a Filipino professional golfer.Miñoza has won a number of events in Asia and Japan, but has spent most of his prime, and had his most notable success, on the Japan Golf Tour...
with earnings of over 670 million ¥ (23rd place).
| Position | Player | Country | Prize Money (¥ 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... ) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki | Japan Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... |
2,687,412,253 |
| 2 | Tsuneyuki "Tommy" Nakajima | Japan Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... |
1,647,808,081 |
| 3 | Shingo Katayama Shingo Katayama Shingo 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... |
Japan Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... |
1,615,842,722 |
| 4 | Naomichi "Joe" Ozaki Naomichi 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... |
Japan Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... |
1,530,181,700 |
| 5 | Toru Taniguchi Toru Taniguchi is 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... |
Japan Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... |
1,290,946,299 |
| 6 | Masahiro "Massy" Kuramoto | Japan Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... |
1,010,839,452 |
| 7 | Toshimitsu Izawa Toshimitsu Izawa Toshimitsu 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.... |
Japan Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... |
1,086,275,407 |
| 8 | Isao Aoki Isao Aoki is 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... |
Japan Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... |
980,652,048 |
| 9 | Hiroyuki Fujita Hiroyuki Fujita Hiroyuki Fujita is a Japanese professional golfer.Fujita has won ten tournaments on the Japan Golf Tour and featured in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Rankings... |
Japan Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... |
928,529,903 |
| 10 | David Ishii David Ishii David S. Ishii is an American golfer of Japanese descent.Ishii grew up on the island of Kauai in Hawaii and graduated from Kauai High School. He turned professional in 1979. He led the money list on the Japan Golf Tour in 1987... |
United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
814,695,905 |
There is a full list on the Japan Golf Tour's website here.
Records
- Youngest winner: Ryo IshikawaRyo Ishikawa, also known by the nickname "Hanikami Ōji" , is a Japanese professional golfer.On 20 May 2007, Ishikawa became the youngest winner ever of a men's regular tournament on the Japan Golf Tour by winning the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup at the age 15 years and 8 months. He competed as an amateur and it...
(amateur) 15 years, 238 days (Munsingwear Open KSB CupMunsingwear Open KSB CupThe Munsingwear Open KSB Cup is an annual professional golf tournament on the Japan Golf Tour. It was created in 2000 as a result of the merger of two previous tournaments, the Georgia KSB Open and the Descente Classic Munsingwear Cup....
, 2007)
See also
- Professional golf toursProfessional golf toursProfessional golf tours are the means by which otherwise unconnected professional golf tournaments are organised into a regular schedule. There are separate tours for men and women, with each tour being based in a specific geographical region, although some of their tournaments may be held in other...
- Golfers with most Japan Golf Tour winsGolfers with most Japan Golf Tour winsThis is a list of golfers who have won 10 or more events on the Japan Golf Tour since it was established in 1973. The official Japan Golf Tour website lists winners beginning with the 1985 season...
- Japan Golf AssociationJapan Golf AssociationThe , also known as the JGA, is Japanese national association of golf courses, clubs and facilities and the governing body of golf for Japan.- Competitions organized by JGA :* Japan Open Golf Championship* Japan Women's Open Golf Championship...