Personal Information
Miyazato was born June 19, 1980, in Okinawa, Japan. He stands 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 154 pounds. He turned professional in 2003, having played as an amateur golfer in Japan from 1998 through early 2003. His sister, Ai, plays professional golf on the LPGA Tour.
Amateur Career
Miyazato began playing as an amateur in 1998, and his finishes progressively improved between then and 2003. He played two events in 1998 (high finish was tied for 63rd place); four in 1999 (highest finish was tied for 34th place); six in 2000 (highest finishes were ties for fifth and eighth places); seven in 2001 (highest finishes were ties for second, fourth, seventh, and ninth places); six in 2002 (highest finishes were ties for fourth and sixth places); and one in 2003 (tie for second place). He turned professional after that finish at the Asian Japan Okinawa Open.
Professional Career
Miyazato enjoyed a strong start to his professional career, carding five top-15 finishes in 2003. His best was a second-place finish at the JCB Classic Sendai. He carded another four top-10 finishes in 2004 and has been a consistent performer on the Japan Golf Tour since then. He finished 54th on the money list in 2003; 49th in 2004; 43rd in 2005; 27th in 2006; 14th in 2007; 32nd in 2008; and 36th in 2009.
Double Aces
Miyazato became the first professional golfer to hit two aces during a single round of a PGA Tour event. He did it during the Reno-Tahoe Open at the Montreux Golf and Country Club's mountain course in August of 2006. The first hole-in-one was with a 4-iron on the 230-yard seventh hole; the second with a 7-iron at hole number 12, a 173-yard hole. The aces helped him card a 66 for the day, but he finished the tournament six strokes behind the winner.
Personal Bests
While he has not achieved such a feat on the Japan Golf Tour, Miyazato has some solid rounds under his belt. He has carded an 18-hole score of 63 on two occasions, at the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup in 2007 and The Crowns in 2005. On seven occasions he has hit eight birdies during a single round, which are his personal bests. He did that three times in 2007, once in 2006, and three times in 2003.
About The Author
Larry Anderson has been a freelance writer since 2000. He has covered a wide variety of topics, from golf and baseball to hunting and fishing. His work has appeared in numerous print and online publications, including "Fargo Forum" newspaper. Anderson holds a Bachelor of Arts in print journalism from Concordia College.
