What is isao aoki?

Isao Aoki is a retired Japanese professional golfer who is best known for his successful career on the Japan Golf Tour and the PGA Tour. He was born on August 31, 1942 in Abiko, Chiba, Japan.

Aoki turned professional in 1964 and went on to win numerous tournaments throughout his career, including 51 wins on the Japan Golf Tour and 3 wins on the PGA Tour. He was the first Japanese golfer to win a PGA Tour event when he won the Hawaiian Open in 1983.

Aoki is also known for his unique and unorthodox putting style, known as the "croquet-style" putting, where he straddles the ball and putts it with a center-shafted putter. This style of putting has been banned by the USGA and R&A, but Aoki was allowed to continue using it due to his exemption.

In addition to his success on the golf course, Aoki has been a pioneer for Japanese golfers and has inspired many young players to pursue a career in professional golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004 in recognition of his contributions to the sport.

Isao Aoki retired from competitive golf in 2007 but continues to be involved in the golfing community as a commentator and golf course designer.