HAJIME MESHIAI

Birthdate: March 12, 1954

Birthplace: Funabashi, Chiba, Japan

Age: 51 Ht: 5'7" Wt: 180

Home: Funabashi, Chiba, Japan

College: Komazawa University

Turned Professional: 1978

Joined Champions Tour: 2004

Japan PGA Tour Victories: 12 - 1985 KBC Augusta, 1986 Pocari Sweat Open, 1987 Hiroshima Open, 1989 Yomiuri Sapporo Beer Open, 1991 Masaki Hirao Pro-am, 1993 Asahi Beer Cup, 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 Jordan…Played 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 championships 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 Champions 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, Fla., by being co-medalist, along with 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.

2004 Champions Tour Summary: tournaments entered - 14; top 10 finishes - 1; stroke average 71.93 (ranked 46th); money $150,863 (ranked 74th); Best finish, T-9th FedEx Kinko's Classic. Earned fully exempt status for 2005 after finishing T4 at the 2004 Champions Tour National Qualifying Tournament at the King and Bear at World Golf Village.