Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki, the JGTO Tour career wins leader with 94, will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, golf sources said Thursday.
The 63-year-old Ozaki will be the fourth Japanese to achieve the feat following Hisako "Chako" Higuchi, Isao Aoki and Ayako Okamoto.
An induction ceremony is scheduled for May 2011 in Florida.
Ozaki, a former professional baseball player, captured his first career JGTO victory in 1971 and won 12 money titles between 1973 and 1998 while helping increase the popularity of golf in Japan along with Aoki and Tsuneyuki Nakajima.
Two share lead
BANDO , Ibaraki Pref. (Kyodo) Mika Miyazato shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to share the lead with Ayako Uehara after the first round of the Japan Women's Open.
World No. 1 Ai Miyazato was in a six-way tie for 10th after a 72 in the third major of the Japan LPGA season.
The less-famous, U.S.-based Miyazato and Ayako Uehara each made five birdies and a bogey on a tough layout at Otone Country Club.
"I felt comfortable with my shots today, so I could get aggressive," the 20-year-old Mika Miyazato said. "I try not to care about my score or position. I'll just look at the quality of my play the rest of the week."
Last year, she took a four-shot lead into the final round at the Japan Women's Open but ended up in a tie for sixth after a 78.
Ai Miyazato, the 2005 Japan Women's Open champion, carded two birdies and two bogeys.
Lee Ji Hee stood one shot behind the co-leaders. Yuri Fudo and Chie Arimura were tied for fourth, another stroke back.
Three-time U.S. LPGA major winner Yani Tseng shot a 71.