ASIAN SPIRIT TO THE FORE

The Internationals will look to Maruyama's heroics to propel their Presidents Cup quest.

- CHUAH CHOO CHIANG

Twenty-six years have passed since Shigeki Maruyama produced a performance for the ages by going a perfect 5-0-0 in his Presidents Cup debut at Royal Melbourne which sparked what has since become the lone International Team victory to date against the United States Team in the biennial competition.

Now at 54, the three-time PGA TOUR winner emerged as an unlikely star during that famous 20.5-10.5 drubbing over the Americans, who had a prime Tiger Woods in their formidable 12-man squad.

Maruyama often recounts with great fondness of his heroics, which included a famous Foursomes victory with Craig Parry over Woods and Fred Couples, and with the Presidents Cup being played at Royal Montreal from 24-29 September, all eyes will be on the current Asian crop of stars if they can emulate a similar feat to lend to a muchdesired International Team victory.

"As I was a rookie and every American player was a superstar, I was not afraid of the matches," recalled Maruyama. "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," recalled the Japanese veteran, who subsequently earned the nicknamed, the 'Smiling Assassin' after Royal Melbourne.

He vividly remembers International Team captain, the late Peter Thomson, had kept his players relaxed all week in the team room and functions. "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.

Yet, he never imagined he would go on to produce an unblemished winning record, an achievement matched by only five other players - Mark O'Meara, Woods, Jim Furyk, Branden Grace and Jordan Spieth - in Presidents Cup history.