Shigeki Maruyama

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Shigeki Maruyama (born September 12, 1969 in Chiba) is a Japanese golfer.

Maruyama attended Nihon University and turned professional in 1992. He is known for his ever-present smile on the golf course which has given rise to his nickname of the "Smiling Assassin". He began his career on the Japan Golf Tour, quickly becoming one of the leading players on that tour. Two excellent finishes in World Golf Championships events in 1999 helped to earn him membership of the U.S. based PGA Tour for the 2000 season, and he has played mainly in America since then. He has three PGA Tour victories: the 2001 Greater Milwaukee Open, 2002 Verizon Byron Nelson Classic and the 2003 Chrysler Classic of Greensboro.

Maruyama was a member of The International Team in The Presidents Cup in 1998 and 2000. His performance in 1998 brought him worldwide attention as he was the star performer in the tournament with a 5-0-0 win-loss-tie record.

He has featured in the top 20 of the Official World Golf Rankings.

Shot a 58 on June 5, 2000 at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland while qualifying for the 2000 U.S. Open. This is a record for any competitive event.

His favorite athlete is Michael Jordan. One of the more popular golfers on the PGA Tour. Constantly has a smile on his face, which endears him to the galleries.

[edit] Japan Golf Tour wins

1993 Pepsi Ubekousan
1995 Bridgestone Open
1996 Bridgestone Open
1997 PGA Championship of Japan, Pocari Sweat Yomiuri Open, PGA Match Play Promise Cup, Golf Nippon Hitachi Cup
1998 PGA Philanthropy Open
1999 Bridgestone Open