TOKYO – Feb. 1, 2005 – Japan have named a star-studded line-up, including three-time US PGA Tour winner Shigeki Maruyama, for the second Visa Dynasty Cup clash with Asia in April.
A weakened Japan side lost by nine points to Asia in 2003, a result dubbed the "Massacre at Mission Hills", but will be at full strength for the next Ryder Cup-style showdown from April 15-17, 2005. The Visa Dynasty Cup will again be played over the magnificent World Cup course at Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen, China.
Maruyama, nicknamed the 'Smilin' Assassin', headlines the Japan 'Dream Team' which also includes Toshimitsu Izawa, who partnered him to victory in the 2002 World Cup, and last year's Japan Tour Order of Merit winner Shingo Katayama. Japan team captain Isao Aoki, disappointed by the 2003 loss, had two picks for the 12-man team and he went for the superstar duo of Maruyama and Izawa. Aoki promised Japanese golf fans that the talented team would win the Visa Dynasty Cup.
"Last time we lost after a tight match, but this time we will win," said the Japan golfing icon. "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 last five years such as Izawa, Katayama and others will complete the Japan Team. We promise to bring the Visa Dynasty Cup back to Japan for our Japanese fans."
The 35-year-old Maruyama has competed in the United States since 2000 and is one of the most popular players in world golf. 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 the Visa Dynasty Cup 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 and will pose a formidable challenge to Asia who were dominant in the first contest 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 team," 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'."
The formidable Japan line-up 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 of the team announced on Monday played in the 2003 Dynasty Cup. Asia's team for the much-anticipated clash with Japan will be finalised after the Myanmar Open from February 24-27. Asian number one Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand currently heads the rankings and countrymen Boonchu Ruangkit, Thaworn Wiratchant and Prayad Marksaeng are near certainties to be amongst the automatic picks.
Korea's Charlie Wi, a six-time victor on the Asian Tour who won his card for the US PGA Tour in December, compatriot Mo Joong-kyung, Mardan Mamat of Singapore and former Asian number one Jyoti Randhawa of India are also likely starters. China's Liang Wen-chong helped his chances of receiving one of the four captain's picks with his fifth place finish in the Caltex Masters presented by Carlsberg, Singapore 2005, on Sunday.
Japan team: Shingo Katayama, Toru Taniguchi, Takashi Kamiyama, Hideki Kase, Keiichiro Fukabori, Tomohiro Kondo, Tetsuji Hiratsuka, Ryoken Kawagishi, Toru Suzuki, Hiroyuki Fujita, Shigeki Maruyama (captain's pick) and Toshimitsu Izawa (captain's pick).
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