Japanese ace Maruyama vows to defeat Asia in Dynasty Cup
Three-time US PGA Tour winner Shigeki Maruyama has promised victory for Japan over Asia in the second Visa Dynasty Cup clash with Asia at Mission Hills in April.
Maruyama has answered an SOS from team captain Isao Aoki after Japan were crushed in the inaugural event, played on the World Cup course at Mission Hills two years ago.
'I've taken part in the Presidents Cup before, and it provided me with a lot of experience. I'd like to make use of the experience for Japan,' said Maruyama. 'I thank the captain for giving me the opportunity to take part. One thing I'd like to say to the fans: 'We're going to win this time'.'
Maruyama, nicknamed the 'Smilin' Assassin', will be joined by Toshimitsu Izawa, who partnered him to victory in the 2002 World Cup, and last year's Japan Tour Order of Merit winner Shingo Katayama.
Aoki, shellshocked by the 2003 loss, had two picks for the 12-man team and he opted for the superstar duo of Maruyama and Izawa. He also promised Japanese fans the team would win the Ryder Cup-style event from April 15-17 at the famous Shenzhen course.
'Last time we lost after a tight match, but this time we will win,' said golfing icon Aoki. 'This year, the Japan team will be supported by Maruyama, who is actively playing on the US Tour, and from Japan also the top money earners for the past five years such as Izawa, Katayama and others will complete the team. We promise to bring the Dynasty Cup back to Japan for our fans.'
A weakened Japan side lost by nine points in 2003. Maruyama, 35, has competed in the US since 2000 and is one of the most popular players in the world. He first grabbed the headlines in 1998 when he won all his five matches in the International team's Presidents Cup victory over the United States in Melbourne.
He will head to Mission Hills straight from the US Masters at Augusta. Katayama, who has won 16 times on the Japan Tour, will also compete at the Masters after receiving a special invitation.
The 12 players in the Japan team have won more than 80 titles between them. The formidable Japan lineup also features Toru Taniguchi, who like Katayama won twice on the Japan Tour last year, and Keiichiro Fukabori, a six-time winner. Only Fukabori, Tomohiro Kondo, Toru Suzuki and Hiroyuki Fujita played in the 2003 Dynasty Cup.
Asia's team will be finalised after the Myanmar Open from February 24-27. Asian number one Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand heads the rankings and countrymen Boonchu Ruangkit, Thaworn Wiratchant and Prayad Marksaeng are near certainties for automatic picks.
