Shingo Katayama

[mcfc_nick]

why does this guy not join the pga or european tours? every time a major or wgc comes around he always seems to be somewhere up there! he could make a bomb if he joined one!

[Shindig]

why does this guy not join the pga or european tours? every time a major or wgc comes around he always seems to be somewhere up there! he could make a bomb if he joined one!

Maybe he prefers to stay in Japan? It's like when some people take a lower paycheck to stay in a geographically preferable location, but don't mind going away on business trips now and then (perhaps playing golf during these business trips, even).

What I want to know is if his hat is for sale. I used to love cowboy hats (and other forms of wide-brimmed hats). Maybe if they're for sale, I'll get myself one as a reward when I bring my handicap into single digits.

[GaijinGolfer]

Perhaps he stays playing mostly in Japan because he wants to be around his family and friends.
You are right that he could probably win a lot of tournaments on the PGA Tour or Euro tour, but perhaps friends/family is more important to him than travelling all around the world playing in golf tourneys.

[Surefire]

Maybe he makes loads of money where he plays anyway!

[Troof.]

Shingo is an absolute star in Japan, he doesn't need to play on the PGA

[Golf_Predictor_Guru]

Perhaps they only make those cowboy hats in Japan!!

[microcrayfish]

He's won over 1.4 billion Yen on the Japanese tour which converts to about $14,000,000 USD. I think he's doing just fine not playing on the PGA Tour if you ask me!

[wrx_junki]

Those last few putts he made were great! Liking the hat as well.

[RocketSauce]

he is a superstar in Japan and makes butt loads of money there.

[johnL7]

He owns on the Japan tours and probably feels more comfortable over there than when he plays on the pga tour.

[GoingfortheGreen]

What I want to know is if his hat is for sale. I used to love cowboy hats (and other forms of wide-brimmed hats). Maybe if they're for sale, I'll get myself one as a reward when I bring my handicap into single digits.

Last time I saw him in person was at Oakmont. He used to be sponsored by Nike - I remember his cowboy hat had a swoosh on it. From the looks of it, he's signed with someone else...IMO, the hat works for him. Briny Baird should look to Shingo on how to pull it off

[Ben]

Maybe he prefers to stay in Japan? It's like when some people take a lower paycheck to stay in a geographically preferable location, but don't mind going away on business trips now and then (perhaps playing golf during these business trips, even).

That's pretty well put shindig. I'd say that has a lot to do with it. Japan is a great place to live, that's why I'm looking to go back. Plus, Japan is not a bad place to be famous. Its practically royalty status. I'm sure Angel Cabrera will be getting a healthy dose when he gets back to Argentina.

What I want to know is if his hat is for sale. I used to love cowboy hats (and other forms of wide-brimmed hats). Maybe if they're for sale, I'll get myself one as a reward when I bring my handicap into single digits.

That's some serious hat you're talking about there.

[Shindig]

Last time I saw him in person was at Oakmont. He used to be sponsored by Nike - I remember his cowboy hat had a swoosh on it. From the looks of it, he's signed with someone else...IMO, the hat works for him. Briny Baird should look to Shingo on how to pull it off

I saw him at Torrey, and he was still wearing the Nike hat, IIRC.

That's pretty well put shindig. I'd say that has a lot to do with it. Japan is a great place to live, that's why I'm looking to go back. Plus, Japan is not a bad place to be famous. Its practically royalty status. I'm sure Angel Cabrera will be getting a healthy dose when he gets back to Argentina.

Thanks. ESPN reported that Cabrera got a hero's welcome back in Argentina.

That's some serious hat you're talking about there.

Yeah. I'm hoping that I meet the pre-requisites that I set out for myself on it.

[M2daRizzle]

He is now signed with the japenese golf company onoff in case anybody is wondering. And I agree, his hats are baller.

[Ben]

...IMO, the hat works for him. Briny Baird should look to Shingo on how to pull it off

That is great! Throw Alvaros Quiros in there while we're at it. I think its those big brim straw hats in general have got to go.

*greg norman

[JGulkCG]

i absolutely loved watching Shingo play during the masters. Every birdie he makes, to watch his reaction is absolutely awesome. He is a really happy guy, and a great guy for golf.