Twenty-one years after Shigeki Maruyama charmed the world at the Presidents Cup, the Japanese golf legend has issued a rallying call to the International Team to the turn the tables on a Tiger Woods-led United States Team at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club this week.
Maruyama was a rookie in the 1998 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne and emerged as an unlikely hero with a 5-0-0 record to help the International Team secure what remains as the team’s lone victory in the series to date. Now 50 years of age, the three-time PGA Tour winner recalled how the late International Team captain Peter Thomson had inspired him and his 11 teammates.
“He (Thomson) said – ‘You can definitely do it!’” said Maruyama. “He was like a father figure. He was always very gentle and would warmly welcome me after I tried hard.
“As I was a rookie and every American player was a superstar, I was not afraid of the matches. I made up my mind, thinking it wouldn’t matter if I lost. So I was not afraid. The only thing in my heart was to defeat the American team.”
Maruyama formed winning Four-Ball and Foursomes partnerships with Australia’s Craig Parry and compatriot Joe Ozaki, which included a 1-up win for him and Parry over Woods and Fred Couples in the second day’s Foursomes session. Woods was also making his debut in the 1998 edition.
The Japanese star said Thomson kept the International Team players relaxed all week. “He wanted to make the team atmosphere better. That’s why I acted very brightly, and I wasn’t so serious and wanted to cheer everyone up. I think I was influenced by Peter. So I would also smile a lot and yell ‘wow!’ to inspire the team,” said Maruyama, who was nicknamed “Smiling Assassin” after his heroics at Royal Melbourne.
Despite the U.S. Team dominance in the Presidents Cup – the Americans have won the past seven editions – Maruyama believes this year’s team under captain Ernie Els has enough muscle to trump the Americans at Royal Melbourne.
“I think he has very strong power to lead the players. This year should be a big chance,” said Maruyama. “There are many good players from Australia, and the Asian players should be able to catch up with the top players. I am very happy the Asian players are well represented.”
Team chemistry and local fan support, according to Maruyama, will play a major role in determining the International Team’s hopes. In 1998, Maruyama said the two top players in the team, Greg Norman and Steve Elkington, were like “brothers” in the team room.
“What really made me feel confident was the two superstars in the International Team, Greg Norman and Steve Elkington. In my heart, they were like the brotherly existence, which made me feel very assured,” he said.
Maruyama never imagined he would produce a 5-0-0 winning record, an achievement matched by only four other players – Mark O’Meara, Woods, Jim Furyk, Branden Grace – in Presidents Cup history.
“After the event was over, I felt like ‘Ah, how wonderful’. But I didn’t think about it at all during the week. I worked very hard and at the end of the week, everyone said to me, ‘This is five wins!’ and I wondered, ‘Oh? Was I so good?’
“I didn’t feel I did very well until I was congratulated by everyone. My seniors, Greg, Nick (Price), Steve and the others started saying: ‘You’re amazing!’ Then I thought it would be nice to show off. I remember putting the winning Cup on my head and shouted happily. I have a character like a comedian.”
Through his two appearances, Maruyama has used the charitable funds allocated to him to create his own foundation which focuses on junior golf development in Japan. “When I asked the other players about where they donated the funds, everyone had their own junior foundation. I then founded my foundation (Shigeki Maruyama Junior Foundation) and we now hold four to five tournaments every year. My practice is that we do all these activities free of charge and the children are allowed to play freely. There is an inherent image in Japan that golf is expensive. I want to change this image.
“My son (Sean, who played in the 2017 Junior Presidents Cup) grew up in the U.S. where there are really many junior games. But in Japan they are far from enough. I hope to develop the junior foundation further in the future. And I want to grow players who will be active in the world.”
For more information, visit PresidentsCup.com.
