Who's who: Isao Aoki

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Who's who: Isao Aoki

  • Name:

    Isao Aoki
  • Country:

    Japan
  • Born:

    Aug 31, 1942 in Abiko, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.
  • Original/Home Club:

    Abiko GC, Japan
  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer
  • Turned Pro:

    1964 (aged 22)

Roll of Honour

Total professional wins (78), including Japan Tour (51), PGA Tour (1), European Tour (1), Champions Tour (9) and other international tours (16). Japan Tour top money winner (1976, '78, '79, '80, '81). World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted 2004).

Did you know?

Aoki grew up in Chiba, Japan the son of a farmer. At age 15, he was introduced to golf as a caddie at Abiko Golf Club, and went on to become Japan's first international golf star. With 51 wins, he is the second most prolific winner on the Japan Tour (leading winner Jumbo Ozaki recorded 94 wins).

Aoki became the first Japanese player to win on the PGA Tour, and first Japanese man to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Aoki won 78 professional tournaments around the world. The closest he came to winning a major championship was finishing runner-up to Jack Nicklaus at the 1980 US Open at Baltusrol Golf Club.

Top tournaments won by Isao Aoki

2003
America
208 (-8)
$86,000
Georgia-Pacific

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

Sonoma

Score

208 (-8)

Prize money

$86,000

Title sponsor

Georgia-Pacific

Played as the Georgia-Pacific Grand Champions Championship (Oct 23-25; unofficial Champions Tr event for 60+ age group; played as part of the Champions Tour season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship). Second-placed Tom Wargo (USA) and Raymond Floyd (USA) finished 6 shots behind Aoki (Jpn). [Sonoma GC, Sonoma, California].

2002
America
TPC Jasna Polana
201 (-15)
$225,000
Instinet

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

TPC Jasna Polana

Score

201 (-15)

Prize money

$225,000

Title sponsor

Instinet

Played as the Instinet Classic (May 17-19). Second-placed John Jacobs (USA) finished 4 shots behind Aoki (Jpn). [TPC Jasna Polana, Princeton, New Jersey].

1998
America
198 (-18)
$195,000
BellSouth

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Score

198 (-18)

Prize money

$195,000

Title sponsor

BellSouth

Played as the BellSouth Senior Classic at Opryland (June 12-14). Second-placed Larry Nelson (USA) finished 2 shots behind Aoki (Jpn). [Gaylord Springs Links, Nashville, Tennessee; at the time known as Springhouse GC].

1997
America
196 (-14)
$165,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Score

196 (-14)

Prize money

$165,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Emerald Coast Classic (Sept 26-28). Aoki (Jpn) beat Gil Morgan (USA) with a par at the second playoff hole. [The Moors GC, Milton, Florida].

1996
America
202 (-14)
$180,000
BellSouth

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Score

202 (-14)

Prize money

$180,000

Title sponsor

BellSouth

Played as the BellSouth Senior Classic at Opryland (May 24-26). Second-placed Graham Marsh (Aus) and Jay Sigel (USA) finished 1 shot behind Aoki (Jpn), who recorded his fifth Snr PGA Tour win. [Gaylord Springs Links, Nashville, Tennessee; at the time known as Springhouse GC].

1996
America
Kings Island
198 (-15)
$135,000
Kroger

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

Kings Island

Score

198 (-15)

Prize money

$135,000

Title sponsor

Kroger

Played as the Kroger Senior Classic (Jun 28-30). Second-placed Mike Hill (USA) and Rocky Thompson (USA) finished 1 shot behind Aoki (Jpn). [Grizzly course, Golf Ctr at Kings Island, Mason, Ohio].

1995
America
204 (-12)
$120,000
Bank of Boston

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Score

204 (-12)

Prize money

$120,000

Title sponsor

Bank of Boston

Played as the Bank of Boston Senior Classic (Aug 25-27). Second-placed Bob Charles (NZ) and Hale Irwin (USA) finished 1 shot behind Aoki (Jpn). [Nashawtuc CC, Concord, Massachusetts].

1995
Asia
Glen Oak CC, Jpn
173 (-7)
US$100,000
Amex

Category

Asia

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

Glen Oak CC, Jpn

Score

173 (-7)

Prize money

US$100,000

Title sponsor

Amex

Played as the American Express Grand Slam (March 24-26; Snr PGA Tour unofficial money event). Second-placed Gibby Gilbert (USA) and Graham Marsh (Aus) finished 2 shots behind Aoki (Jpn). Final round cut to nine holes due to snow. [Glen Oaks CC, nr Katori, Chiba, Japan].

1994
America
202 (-14)
$87,500
Bank One

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Score

202 (-14)

Prize money

$87,500

Title sponsor

Bank One

Played as the Bank One Senior Classic. Second-placed Chi Chi Rodriguez (PR/USA) finished 3 shots behind Aoki (Jpn). [Kearney Hill Links, Lexington, Kentucky].

1994
America
133 (-11)
$105,000
GTE

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Score

133 (-11)

Prize money

$105,000

Title sponsor

GTE

Played as the Brickyard Crossing Championship presented by GTE (Sept 24-25; formerly GTE North Classic). Second-placed Jimmy Powell (USA) and Tom Wargo (USA) finished 1 shot behind Aoki (Jpn), who recorded back-to-back Snr PGA Tour wins. First round was rained out. [Brickyard Crossing GC, Indianapolis, Indiana].

1992
Japan
Ibusuki GC
277 (-11)
¥27million
Casio

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

Ibusuki GC

Score

277 (-11)

Prize money

¥27million

Title sponsor

Casio

Played as the Casio World Open (Nov 26-29; Japan Tr event). Second-placed "T.M." Chen Tze-ming (Taiw) finished 2 shots behind 50-year-old Aoki (Jpn), who recorded the last of his 51 Japan Tour wins. [Kaimon course, Ibusuki GC, Ibusuki, Kagoshima, Japan].

1992
America
CC of the South
136 (-8)
$120,000
Nationwide

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

CC of the South

Score

136 (-8)

Prize money

$120,000

Title sponsor

Nationwide

Played as the Nationwide Championship (Sept 25-27). Second-placed Raymond Floyd (USA) finished 1 shot behind first-time Snr PGA Tour winner Aoki (Jpn). [CC of the South, Alpharetta, nr Atlanta, Georgia].

1991
Japan
134 (-10)
¥10million
Bridgestone

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Score

134 (-10)

Prize money

¥10million

Title sponsor

Bridgestone

Played as the Bridgestone Open (Oct 24-27; Japan Tr event). Second-placed Tsuyoshi Yoneyama (Jpn) finished 1 shot behind Aoki (Jpn). Reduced to 36-holes due to bad weather. [Sodegaura course, Sodegaura CC, Chiba, Jpn].

1989
Japan
Ibusuki GC
274 (-14)
¥18million
Casio

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

Ibusuki GC

Score

274 (-14)

Prize money

¥18million

Title sponsor

Casio

Played as the Casio World Open (Nov 23-26; Japan Tr event). Second-placed and defending champion Larry Mize (USA) finished 1 shot behind Aoki (Jpn). [Kaimon course, Ibusuki GC, Ibusuki, Kagoshima, Japan].

1987
Japan
Tokyo Yomiuri CC
138 (-7)
¥3.25million
x

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

Tokyo Yomiuri CC

Score

138 (-7)

Prize money

¥3.25million

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Golf Nippon Series (Dec 2-6; Japanese major ch'ship). Isao Aoki (Jpn) and David Ishii (USA) finished in a tie for first place. Reduced to 36 holes due to bad weather. [Tokyo Yomiuri CC, Inagi, nr Tokyo].

1987
Japan
Arima Royal GC
279 (-9)
¥10million
JGA

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

Arima Royal GC

Score

279 (-9)

Prize money

¥10million

Title sponsor

JGA

Played as the Japan Open (Oct 8-11; Japanese major ch'ship). Second-placed Tsuneyuki "Tommy" Nakajima (Jpn) and Nobuo Serizawa (Jpn) finished 1 shot behind Aoki (Jpn). [East/Centre course, Arima Royal GC, nr Kobe, Hyogo].

1986
Awards
70.23
n/a
Japan Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

Score

70.23

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

Japan Tr

Aoki (Jpn) recorded the season's lowest scoring average on the Japan Tour. Tsuneyuki "Tommy" Nakajima (Jpn) was second with 70.40; Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki (Jpn) was third with 70.92.

1986
Japan
Nihon Line GC
272 (-16)
¥9million
PGA of Japan

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

Nihon Line GC

Score

272 (-16)

Prize money

¥9million

Title sponsor

PGA of Japan

Played as the Japan PGA Championship (July 24-27; Japanese major ch'ship). Second-placed Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki (Jpn) finished 4 shots behind Aoki (Jpn), who recorded the last of his three wins in this event. [West course, Nihon Line GC, Kani, Gifu, Jpn].

1983
America
268 (-20)
$58,500
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Score

268 (-20)

Prize money

$58,500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Hawaiian Open (Feb 10-13). Second-placed Jack Renner (USA) finished 1 shot behind 40-year-old Isao Aoki (Jpn), who recorded his first and only PGA Tour win. Aoki became the first Japanese winner of a PGA Tour event. [Waialae CC, Honolulu, Hawaii].

1983
Europe
274 (-6)
£23,330
Panasonic

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Score

274 (-6)

Prize money

£23,330

Title sponsor

Panasonic

Played as the Panasonic European Open (Sept 1-4). Second-placed Seve Ballesteros (Esp), Nick Faldo (Eng) and Carl Mason (Eng) finished 2 shots behind Aoki (Jpn), who recorded his first and only European Tour win. [Old course, Sunningdale GC, Sunningdale, Berks].

1983
Japan
Rokko Kokusai GC
281 (-7)
¥8million
JGA

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

Rokko Kokusai GC

Score

281 (-7)

Prize money

¥8million

Title sponsor

JGA

Played as the Japan Open (Sept 29-Oct 2; Japanese major ch'ship). Aoki (Jpn) beat Terry Gale (Aus) with a par at the second playoff hole. [East/Centre course, Rokko Kokusai GC, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan].

1983
Japan
Yomiuri CC
281 (−19)
¥6million
x

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

Yomiuri CC

Score

281 (−19)

Prize money

¥6million

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Golf Nippon Series (Nov 30-Dec 4; Japanese major ch'ship). Masahiro "Massy" Kuramoto (Jpn) finished 1 shot behind Aoki (Jpn). [Co-hosted by Yomiuri CC, Nishinomiya, Hyogo and Tokyo Yomiuri CC, Inagi, nr Tokyo].

1981
Awards
Yn57mill
see Score
Japan Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

Score

Yn57mill

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

Japan Tr

Isao Aoki (Jpn) won his fifth (and fourth straight) Japan Golf Tour Money List, with 1981 season earnings of Yn57,262,941 from Japan Tour events and golf's four top majors (Masters, Open, US Open, US PGA).

1981
Japan
Sapporo Korakuen
277 (-11)
¥5million
PGA of Japan

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

Sapporo Korakuen

Score

277 (-11)

Prize money

¥5million

Title sponsor

PGA of Japan

Played as the Japan PGA Championship (July 30-Aug 2; Japanese major ch'ship). Second-placed Toru Nakamura (Jpn) finished 4 shots behind Aoki (Jpn). [Sapporo Korakuen CC, Nibetsu, Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido, Jpn].

1980
Awards
Yn60mill
see Score
Japan Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

Score

Yn60mill

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

Japan Tr

Isao Aoki (Jpn) won his fourth (and third straight) Japan Golf Tour Money List, with 1980 season earnings of Yn60,532,660 from Japan Tour events and golf's four top majors (Masters, Open, US Open, US PGA).

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Score

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Chunichi Crowns - International Invitation Golf (May 1-4; Japan Tr event). Second-placed Graham Marsh (Aus) finished 2 shots behind Aoki (Jpn), who recorded his third straight and fifth overall win in this event. [Wago course, Nagoya GC, Aichi, Japan].

1979
Awards
Yn45mill
see Score
Japan Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

Score

Yn45mill

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

Japan Tr

Isao Aoki (Jpn) won his third (and second straight) Japan Golf Tour Money List, with 1979 season earnings of Yn45,554,211 from Japan Tour events and golf's four top majors (Masters, Open, US Open, US PGA).

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Score

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Chunichi Crowns - International Invitation Golf (April 26-29; Japan Tr event). Won by defending champion Aoki (Jpn). [Wago course, Nagoya GC, Aichi, Japan].

1979
Japan
Yomiuri CC
276 (−14)
¥5million
x

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

Yomiuri CC

Score

276 (−14)

Prize money

¥5million

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Golf Nippon Series (Nov 28-Dec 2; Japanese major ch'ship and season-ending event). Won by defending champion Aoki (Jpn). [Co-hosted by Yomiuri CC, Nishinomiya, Hyogo and Tokyo Yomiuri CC, Inagi, nr Tokyo].

1978
Europe
3 & 2
£30,000
Colgate

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Score

3 & 2

Prize money

£30,000

Title sponsor

Colgate

Played as the Colgate World Match Play Championship (Oct 12-15; field of 16 players). Aoki (Jpn) beat Simon Owen (NZ) 3 and 2 in the 36-hole final. [West course, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey].

1978
Awards
Yn62mill
see Score
Japan Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

Score

Yn62mill

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

Japan Tr

Isao Aoki (Jpn) won his second Japan Golf Tour Money List, with 1978 season earnings of Yn62,987,200 from Japan Tour events and golf's four top majors (Masters, Open, US Open, US PGA).

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Score

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Chunichi Crowns - International Invitation Golf (Apr 27-30; Japan Tr event). Won by Aoki (Jpn). [Wago course, Nagoya GC, Aichi, Japan].

1978
Japan
Yomiuri CC
282 (−8)
¥5million
x

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

Yomiuri CC

Score

282 (−8)

Prize money

¥5million

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Golf Nippon Series (Nov 29-Dec 3; Japanese major ch'ship and season-ending event). Won by Aoki (Jpn). [Co-hosted by Yomiuri CC, Nishinomiya, Hyogo and Tokyo Yomiuri CC, Inagi, nr Tokyo].

1978
Japan
Harima CC
273 (-15)
¥6million
x

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

Harima CC

Score

273 (-15)

Prize money

¥6million

Title sponsor

x

Played as the United States-Japan Professional Golf Match (Nov 9-12; Japan Tr event; individual low score winner). Second-placed Kosaku Shimada (Jpn) finished 5 shots behind defending champion Aoki (Jpn). [Harima CC, Ono, Hyogo, Japan].

1977
Japan
Harima CC
280 (-8)
US$24,000
x

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

Harima CC

Score

280 (-8)

Prize money

US$24,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the United States-Japan Professional Golf Match (Nov 10-13; Japan Tr event; individual low score winner). Second-placed Tom Weiskopf (USA) finished 2 shots behind Aoki (Jpn). [Harima CC, Ono, Hyogo, Japan].

1976
Awards
Yn40mill
see Score
Japan Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Venue

Score

Yn40mill

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

Japan Tr

Isao Aoki (Jpn) won the Japan Golf Tour 1976 Money List, with earnings of Yn40,985,801 from Japan Tour events and golf's four top majors (Masters, Open, US Open, US PGA).

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Score

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Chunichi Crowns - International Invitation Golf (April 26-29; Japan Tr event). Won for the second time in three years by Aoki (Jpn). [Wago course, Nagoya GC, Aichi, Japan].

1973
Japan
275 (-13)
PGA of Japan

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Score

275 (-13)

Prize money

Title sponsor

PGA of Japan

Played as the Japan PGA Championship (Oct 18-21; Japanese major ch'ship). Second-placed Haruo Yasuda (Jpn) finished 8 shots behind Aoki (Jpn), who won his first Japanese major championship title. [East course, Gifu Seki CC, Seki, Gifu, Japan].

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Score

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Chunichi Crowns - International Invitation Golf (April 26-29; season-opener of the Japan Tour's first season). Aoki (Jpn) recorded the first of his 51 wins on the Japan Tour. [Wago course, Nagoya GC, Aichi, Japan].

1973
Japan
281 (-7)
Pepsi / Wilson

Category

Japan

Winner (holder)

Aoki, Isao

Score

281 (-7)

Prize money

Title sponsor

Pepsi / Wilson

Played as the inaugural Pepsi-Wilson Tournament (May 17-20). Aoki (Jpn) beat Kosaku Shimada (Jpn) in a playoff to record his second Japan Tour win. [West course, Yokohama CC, Kanagawa, Japan].

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