Asian golfers who have made an international mark

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Ryo Ishikawa has big goals. The 17-year-old Japanese phenom wants to win the Masters. He wants to compete against Tiger Woods.

Ryo got a head start on realizing those aspirations when he made his PGA TOUR debut at the Northern Trust Open. It was the first of four TOUR events in two months, culminating with his first appearance at Augusta National.

As Ryo introduces himself to a worldwide audience, PGATOUR.COM looks back at six other Asian golfers who have made their mark around the globe.

Isao Aoki

The only Japanese man in the World Golf Hall of Fame, Aoki won 73 times worldwide on six different Tours. One of his most memorable tournaments, though, didn't result in a victory -- Aoki was the runner up to Jack Nicklaus at the 1980 U.S. Open at Baltusrol. Three years later, he became the first person from Japan to win on the PGA TOUR when he holed a pitching wedge for eagle on the 72nd hole to beat Jack Renner at the Hawaiian Open. He went on to win nine times on the Champions Tour.

K.J. Choi

This well-liked Korean has won seven PGA TOUR events in the last seven years. He also has six international victories. Choi learned the game while in high school, teaching himself by watching videos of Jack Nicklaus and reading his instruction books. That's why his victory at the 2007 Memorial Tournament meant so much to Choi, who also has four top-10s in majors over the last five years.

Shigeki Maruyama

A three-time winner on the PGA TOUR, Maruyama served notice he was a force to be reckoned with at the 1998 Presidents Cup. Maruyama earned the nickname the "Smiling Assassin" as he won all five of his matches in the International victory in Australia. Later, his playoff victory at the 2001 Greater Milwaukee Open made him the first Japanese man to win on the U.S. mainland. Maruyama also shot 58 in a U.S. Open qualifier.

Jumbo Ozaki

The eldest of three brothers who all played professional golf, Masashi (Jumbo) Ozaki has enjoyed the majority of his success on the Japan Tour. He won 94 times and led the money list on 12 occasions. He also had 19 other international wins and three top-10s in major championships -- ties for eighth at the 1973 Masters, eighth at the 1989 U.S. Open and 10th at the 1979 British Open.

Tommy Nakajima

A 48-time winner on the Japan Tour, Tsuneyuki (Tommy) Nakajima ranks third on its all-time wins list. He also led the money list four times. Nakajima never won on the PGA TOUR, but he had six top-10 finishes at major championships, including third place at the 1988 PGA.

Y.E. Yang

This South Korean golfer captured his first PGA TOUR title at The Honda Classic in 2009. Yang picked up the sport at age 19, when a friend advised him to go to a local driving range in Korea. Two years later, Yang began his South Korean military requirement, but shortly after his stint he traveled to New Zealand to pursue a career in golf. In addition to his PGA TOUR win, Yang has won five international titles.