Shigeki Maruyama bringing out smiles and great play from Hideki Matsuyama at the Presidents Cup
One secret weapon for the International team at the Presidents Cup might be someone not even hitting a shot
By DOUG FERGUSON
Published - Sep 27, 2024, 08:14 PM ET
Last Updated - Dec 16, 2024, 06:50 PM EST
MONTREAL (AP) — Shigeki Maruyama was all smiles, just like always, watching from in front of the 12th green as Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im delivered a record-tying rout over America's best foursomes duo Friday at the Presidents Cup.
Maruyama was known as the “Smiling Assassin” during his career. His value as an assistant captain for the International team is that Matsuyama is now smiling, too.
It's been like that all summer. That smile is infectious.
“Hideki's rhythm is really important to him, the way he goes about his daily routine,” Maruyama said through his son, Sean, who played college golf at UCLA. “When he feels he needs a word to cheer him up, I step in and talk to him and it gets him to lighten up.”
