Oct. 30, 2004 – Japanese star Shigeki Maruyama is rallying his compatriots to show up in full force for the Visa Dynasty Cup clash against Asia next April.

Maruyama, a two-time winner on the US PGA Tour, voiced his intention to feature in the Ryder Cup-style showdown after missing the inaugural clash which Asia won by nine points at Mission Hills Golf Club, China last year.

The 35-year-old, nicknamed 'The Smiling Assassin", was in Japan last week and spoke of his interest to feature in non-playing captain Isao Aoki's team.

"I heard that we lost to Asia last year. I could not participate due to my US PGA Tour schedule. But next year, I'm thinking positively. I know Asia is very strong and is getting stronger but Japan should be the leading tour," said Maruyama.

Next year's Visa Dynasty Cup, scheduled from April 15-17, 2005 at Mission Hills' World Cup Course, will be held the week after the US Masters, the year's first Major, and the dates appear to be favorable for Japan's overseas stars.

In fact, Maruyama hopes that his compatriots like Toshi Izawa, Shingo Katayama and Hidemichi Tanaka, who missed the first defeat to Asia, will step on the plate and help Japan redeem their pride after what is now dubbed as the "Massacre at Mission Hills."

"If I am going to participate, I will ask Izawa, Katayama, Taniguchi and Tanaka to make the Japanese Dream Team. I like to stand strong and show how good the Japan Golf Tour players are," said Maruyama, who partnered Izawa to win the 2002 World Cup.

The Asian team will be led again by non-playing captain Hsieh Min-nan, who was praised for his leadership last year, and the likes of current Asian Tour number one Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, Korea's Charlie Wi and India's Jyoti Randhawa are tipped to lead the side.

In the first showdown, Asia pulled off a big shock with their 16 1/2 - 7 1/2 victory over Japan which gave golf a huge boost in the region.

Stung by their defeat at the hands of a fired-up Asia side, Aoki is looking to bolster the Japan team by bringing in US-based stars Maruyama and Tanaka.

The Visa Dynasty Cup will return to Mission Hills, which was recently acknowledged by Guinness World Records as the largest golf club in the world with ten 18-hole courses open for play.

The Visa Dynasty Cup is sanctioned by the Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour Organisation and China Golf Association.

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