HAJIME MESHIAI
Birth Date: March 12, 1954
Birthplace: Funabashi, Chiba, Japan
Age: 50 Ht.: 5'7" Wt.: 175
Home: Funabashi, Chiba, Japan
College: Komazawa University
Turned Professional: 1978
Japan PGA Tour Victories: 10 - 1985 KBC Augusta, 1986 Pocari Sweat Open, 1987 Hiroshima Open, 1989 Yomiuri Sapporo Beer Open, 1993 Token Corporation Cup, Dunlop Open, Lark Cup, 1996 Sapporo Tokyu Open, Suntory Open, 1998 Token Corporation Cup, 1999 Gene Sarazen Jun Classic
Player Notes: A powerful hitter off the tee and is nicknamed "Kong". . . Close friend of Jumbo Ozaki, who helped him develop his game as a youth. . . Shigeo Nagashima, a Japanese baseball legend who played and managed the Tokyo Giants, is his hero. . . Played competitive baseball until his freshman year in college and then turned to golf. . . Favorite course is Augusta National and favorite athlete is Michael JordanPlayed on the Japan PGA Tour between 1980 and 2003, with best season 1993 when he won Token Corporation Cup, Dunlop Open and Lark Cup and leaped into first on the money list with ´148,718,200. He was invited in 1994, to compete in the Major Tournaments worldwide. . .In 1987, he finished top-3 on the money list with ´49,854,133. He has competed between 1984 and 2004, except for in 1994 on Japan PGA Tour and this year became a member of the Japan Senior PGA Tour. His career earnings are ´804,039,337, which places him eighth on the All-Time Money List on Japan Tour.
Played 22 events on the Japan Golf Tour in 2003 and finished 63rd on the official money list with $141,885. . . Best finish on the Japan Golf Tour was a T6 at the Japan Golf Tour Championship. Was also T11 at the Japan Open. . . As a 49-year-old, advanced to the Champions Tour's National Qualifying Tournament near Fort Lauderdale, FL, by being the co-medalist, along Mark Johnson,at the regional qualifier in Calimesa, Calif. . . Secured a full exemption for the 2004 season upon his 50th birthday on March 12 by vaulting from T7 to solo third on the final day. Birdied five of his last six holes to shoot 66 at the TPC at Eagle Trace, equaling the low round of the event.
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