Japanese will take inspiration from win

JAPAN’S first World Cup win in 45 years could provide the inspiration for a new generation of players in the country, Shigeki Maruyama believes.

Maruyama and partner Toshimitsu Izawa put an end to that long, winless streak on Sunday when they survived a late onslaught from the United States and a bout of nerves to win by two strokes.

That expunged the bad memory of last year when they were poised to lift the cup at home in Gotemba, but could only manage a 72 in the final round leaving them in a tie for 11th place.