CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Shinichi Yokota is nicknamed "John" because of his
blue eyes, which are unusual for Japanese. He
tricked his friends by introducing himself as an
American when he was a child. He has been anxious to
play in the US since he first took up the game. Yokota
has maintained his JGTO playing privileges since his
rookie year in 1995.
Before turning professional, in his junior year in
Sensyu University, Yokota shot a second round
score of 66 at the Japan Open, which was the lowest
score for the round. This achievement truly amazed
the top professional golfers. In 1997, he achieved his
first JGTO career win at the ANA Open. However his
first professional win was actually overseas. He won
the Hawaii Pearl Open, and played in the 1996 United
Airlines Hawaiian Open. Although he did not make the
cut at his first PGA Tour event, he came back to
US to face one of the toughest fields on the PGA Tour
two years later at the 1998 NEC World Series of Golf.
Yokota had a top 15 finish (T14th).
Since the 1999 season, he has struggled at time,
barely keeping his exempt status on the Japan Golf
tour in 1999. However, in 2000, his luck has turned
for the better. After he married one of Japan's most
popular actresses, Yuko Anai, during the 2000 season,
his game improved tremendously, and Yokota
successfully earned his 6th straight tour card. He
is looking for his second victory next season and
hopefully coming back to the US to play in PGA
tournaments.
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