Hideyo Sugimoto (born 16 February 1938) is a Japanese professional golfer.
Early life
Sugimoto was born in the Shizuoka Prefecture of Japan in 1938. He started to play golf at the age of 17.
Professional career
Sugimoto turned professional in 1959. In the mid-1960s, he had much success. One of his first successes was at the 1963 Yomiuri International, the final tournament of the year on the Asia Golf Circuit, where he finished runner-up to American Doug Sanders. Later in the year, in August, he recorded another runner-up performance against an international field, finishing solo second to Kel Nagle at the Lake Karrinyup Bowl in Perth, Australia. In 1965, he won the Japan Open Golf Championship, the country's national open.
As of March 1968, Sugimoto was under a one year suspension by the Japanese PGA. He attempted to make it onto the PGA Tour at Spring 1968 PGA Tour Qualifying School. He was successful. Sugimoto played in fourteen events during the year, including the Masters and U.S. Open. He made the cut in nine events, including the Masters.
In 1969, Sugimoto returned to Japan and had great success, winning six times in his home country and the Taiwan Open. During this era, Australian legend Peter Thomson considered Sugimoto and Kenji Hosoishi to be the best golfers in Japan.
During this the early 1970s, he had success with fellow Japanese professional Takashi Murakami, winning three events with him. Sugimoto's first win on the Japan Golf Tour, the 1973 All Nippon Doubles, was with Murakami. Sugimoto played on tour through the decade. One of his final top performances was at the 1978 Hiroshima Open where he finished second to Masashi Ozaki in a playoff.
Professional wins (18)
PGA of Japan Tour wins (2) 1973 All Nippon Doubles (with Takashi Murakami), Suntory Open
Japanese circuit wins (13) 1964 Japan Open, Yomiuri International (not an Asia Golf Circuit event in 1964) 1965 Grand Monarch 1966 Kanto Pro Championship, Golden Match 1969 Japan Open, All Nippon Doubles (with Takashi Murakami), Nippon Series, Aitaka Open, Rolex Tournament, Golden Match 1970 All Nippon Doubles (with Takashi Murakami), Kuzuha International
Asia Golf Circuit wins (3) 1969 Taiwan Open 1972 Philippine Open 1973 Malaysian Open
Results in major championships
Note: Sugimoto never played in The Open Championship or the PGA Championship.