About Toru Taniguchi

Taniguchi was born February 10, 1968 in Nara, Japan. He stands 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 158 pounds. He has played in team tournaments, representing Asia and Japan. His team won the 2009 Royal Trophy, marking the first time the Asian team beat the European team.

Taniguchi played his first Japan Golf Tour event as a professional in 1992, finishing in a tie for 117th place. His best finishes in 1994 were 24th and 25th place, and in his lone appearance in 1995, he finished in a tie for 103rd place. His turnaround began during the 1996 season, when he finished in the top 30 in 11 events. His best finish was at the Mizuno Open, when he tied for third place.

Taniguchi achieved his first victory as a professional golfer in 1998, with a win at the Mitsubishi Galant Tournament. He shot a 71 during the opening round, but his game picked up the final three rounds, when he shot 65, 65 and 67, respectively. He carried the momentum, too, finishing in the top 10 in five of the season's last 16 events.

Through the 2008 season, Taniguchi was ranked fifth on the Japan Golf Tour career money list. In 2002 and 2007, he was the leading money winner on the tour. Consistent high finishes and victories have been key to Taniguchi's career. Following his victory in 1998, he won two events in 2000, four events in 2002, two events in 2004, one event in 2005, another in 2006 and three events in 2007.

While Taniguchi has been a top performer on the Japan Golf Tour, his record in golf's major championships is mixed. He has played in all four of the major championships, beginning with the British Open Championship in 1998. He missed the cut that year, as he has done in most major events in which he has played. In 2001, he finished in a tie for 37th place at the British Open; he was tied for 69th at the 2002 British Open and tied for 60th place at the 2007 British Open.