Japanese golf legend Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki has been elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame after being named on 50 percent of international ballots, officials announced on Wednesday.

The 63-year-old will be inducted into the shrine on May 9 along with fellow 2011 inductees Ernie Els of South Africa, the late Jock Hutchison, former US President George H.W. Bush and former Masters champion Doug Ford.

All but one of Ozaki's 111 career titles came in Japan, the exception being the 1972 New Zealand PGA Championship. Ozaki won the Japan Tour money title 12 times and had top-10 showings in the US and British Opens and the Masters.

"I'm very happy, very honoured and appreciate everyone who has supported me since I turned pro in 1970," Ozaki said. "My only regret is not playing more outside of Japan, but I dedicated my life to Japanese golf and am extremely grateful the voters thought I was worthy of this honour."

The top vote-getter from a panel of reporters, officials and Hall members with at least 50 percent of the ballots is inducted. Scotsmen were next with Sandy Lyle at 45 percent and Ryder Cup-winning captain Colin Montgomerie at 29.

Ozaki becomes the fourth Japanese member of the Hall of fame, joining Isao Aoki, Hisako Higuchi and Ayako Okamoto.

Els, elected through the US PGA Tour ballot, and the others were announced as inductees last month.

© 2010 AFP/sid