In an effort to extend his golfing education on the world stage, Sato entered and graduated from the 2003 Qualifying School to earn his place on The 2004 European Tour International Schedule. With nine titles under his belt on the Japan Golf Tour, second place on the 2002 Money List and winner of over €3 million in his home country, Sato came to Europe with an impressive pedigree and made an immediate impact by finishing second in the Qatar Masters. An admirer of Tommy Nakajima when he was growing up, he first took up golf at the age of ten under the guidance of his father, a big golf fan. Educated at Nevada Reno University in the United States under a golf scholarship, he was only the second Japanese golfer to progress through the European Tour Qualifying School Finals following Katsuyoshi Tomori in 1996. Enjoys his music and particularly karaoke.