Player Profile :

The two-time Most Valuable Player on the Japan Tour, Toru Taniguchi, is both an animated and an accomplished golfer. Known as the “Japanese Tiger” for his highly emotional antics including fist-pumping after birdies in the face of competition, the Japanese star is an ultimate samurai-like warrior on the greens.

Throughout his fourteen-year career, the graduate of Doshisha University has accomplished more than most golfers will in a lifetime. Taniguchi has topped the money list on the Japan Tour (2002) and amassed 11 career victories.

In 2001, Taniguchi caught the world’s attention when he reached the semifinals of the World Golf Championship-Accenture Match Play Championship. The Japan native stunned a hot-handed Vijay Singh in the second round and bounced the legendary Ernie Els in the consolation match to take third place.

Taniguchi continued his winning ways in 2006 in adding another title, the Golf Tournament in Omaezaki to his roster. In a three-way playoff, he came from behind to birdie the third and final playoff hole to hold off fellow Royal Trophy teammate S K Ho.

Taniguchi, one of the great players produced by Japan, is making his first appearance at the Royal Trophy.