Golf: Japan golf legend Sugihara dies

Japanese golf legend Teruo Sugihara died yesterday after a long battle with prostate cancer in a career that spanned more than a half-century and earned him the nickname “Don” of Japan’s pro tour.
Sugihara, who was 74, was also known as the “Viper” for his tenacity despite standing at just 160 centimetres (5.2 feet). He won 63 tournaments including the 1969 Hong Kong Open, his only overseas victory.
Sugihara, a former Osaka caddie who turned pro in 1957 and captured his first career title in 1962 at the Japan Open, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1997 and made his ailment public the next year.
He continued to play professionally for over a dozen years after his diagnosis and made his final tour appearance at the Mizuno Open last year.
In 2006, at the age of 68 years and 10 months, Sugihara became the oldest player ever to make the cut at a competition in the top-tier Japanese tour.
That bested a US PGA record of 67 years and two months set by Sam Snead who died in 2002 at the age of 89.
Sugihara set another record by playing the Chunichi Crowns tournament for 51 years in a row, eclipsing Arnold Palmer’s feat of 50 consecutive Masters outings.