Overview
- The Japan Golf Tour confirmed his death in Japan at 78, and his son said the cause was stage‑4 sigmoid colon cancer after about a year of home treatment.
- Ozaki won a record 94 Japan Golf Tour titles and led the money list 12 times, claiming his final victory at the 2002 ANA Open at age 55.
- He entered the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011 and is widely credited with boosting golf’s popularity in Japan and mentoring younger players.
- Internationally, he rose to No. 5 in the world in 1996, played 49 majors with top‑10s including T‑8 at the 1973 Masters and T‑6 at the 1989 U.S. Open, and recorded one win outside Japan.
- The family will hold a private funeral, with a public farewell event to be arranged later as tributes arrive from the JGTO and across the sport.