NEW YORK (Reuters) - Japanese golfer Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki has been selected for induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum, officials announced on Wednesday.
Ozaki joins previously announced South African Ernie Els, American Doug Ford and former U.S. President George H.W. Bush and Scotland's late Jock Hutchison in the class of 2011.
Ozaki was selected on the international ballot. Els was elected through the PGA Tour ballot. Ford and Hutchison were veterans category selections and Bush was the lifetime achievement selection.
They will be inducted in ceremonies in St. Augustine, Florida, on May 9, 2011, officials said.
"His long and impressive career shines brightly for golf in Japan and around the world," Jack Peter, chief operating officer of the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum, said in a statement.
Ozaki will be the fourth Hall of Fame member from Japan, joining Hisako "Chako" Higuchi (2003), Isao Aoki (2004) and Ayako Okamoto (2005).
He has competed in more than 40 major championships, including top-10 showings in the U.S. Masters Tournament, U.S. Open and Open Championship. He has won six Japan PGA Championships and five Japan Opens.
"I am very happy, very honored and appreciate everyone who has supported me since I turned pro in 1970 . but to be honest I feel I am still an active player and I want to keep competing," Ozaki said.
(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Salvo, North Carolina)
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