Hideyo Sugimoto (born 16 February 1938) is a Japanese professional golfer.

Early life

In 1938, Sugimoto was born in the Shizuoka Prefecture of Japan. He started to play golf at the age of 17.

Professional career

In 1959, Sugimoto turned professional. In the mid-1960s, he had much success. One of his first successes was at the 1963 Yomiuri International, the final tournament of the year on the Asia Golf Circuit, where he finished runner-up to American Doug Sanders. Later in the year, in August, he recorded another runner-up performance against an international field, finishing solo second to Kel Nagle at the Lake Karrinyup Bowl in Perth, Australia. In 1965, he won the Japan Open Golf Championship, the country's national open.

As of March 1968, Sugimoto was under a one year suspension by the Japanese PGA. He attempted to make it onto the PGA Tour at Spring 1968 PGA Tour Qualifying School. He was successful. Sugimoto played in fourteen events during the year, including the Masters and U.S. Open. He made the cut in nine events, including the Masters.

In 1969, Sugimoto returned to Japan and had great success, winning six times in his home country and the Taiwan Open. During this era, Australian legend Peter Thomson considered Sugimoto and Kenji Hosoishi to be the best golfers in Japan.

During this the early 1970s, he had success with fellow Japanese professional Takashi Murakami, winning three events with him. Sugimoto's first win on the Japan Golf Tour, the 1973 All Nippon Doubles, was with Murakami. Sugimoto played on tour through the decade. One of his final top performances was at the 1978 Hiroshima Open where he finished second to Masashi Ozaki in a playoff.

Professional wins (18)

PGA of Japan Tour wins (2)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of victoryRunner(s)-up
129 Jul 1973All Japan Doubles (with Japan Takashi Murakami)−26 (100-101-61=262)
219 Aug 1973Suntory Open−14 (66-69-70-65=270)1 strokeJapan Masashi Ozaki

PGA of Japan Tour playoff record (0–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11978Hiroshima OpenJapan Masashi OzakiLost to par on second extra hole

Asia Golf Circuit wins (3)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of victoryRunner-up
16 Apr 1969Taiwan Open−4 (71-74-74-71=284)PlayoffTaiwan Hsu Chi-san
227 Feb 1972Philippine Open−2 (72-72-71-71=286)2 strokesTaiwan Hsieh Yung-yo
318 Mar 1973Malaysian Open−11 (68-69-68-72=277)2 strokesAustralia Graham Marsh

Asia Golf Circuit playoff record (1–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11967Singapore OpenPhilippines Ben ArdaLost to par on second extra hole
21969Taiwan OpenTaiwan Hsu Chi-sanWon with par on first extra hole

Other wins (13)

Results in major championships

Tournament19671968
Masters TournamentCUTT35
U.S. OpenCUT

Note: Sugimoto never played in The Open Championship or the PGA Championship.

CUT = missed the half-way cut "T" indicates a tie for a place

Team appearances

See also

External links