Japanese will take inspiration from win
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.
But they agreed to give it another go this year even though the normally consistent Izawa has not been at his best.
The result was eloquent as they moved into the lead after the third round and then got the best of the charging Americans down the home stretch.
“It’s going to be big in Japan,” said Maruyama. “At least it had better be.
“ If I find out it is not publicised big when I get back I am not going to speak to them.”
It is a win, he feels that can do much to restore confidence that Japanese golfers can compete effectively outside of Japan and instil a new interest in the game back home.
“If the press people can publicise golf more in Japan, then we will get a lot of attention for the juniors,” he said.
After all the majors that got away Phil Mickelson can now add a World Cup to his collection of near-misses.
The Japanese can thank Mickelson and partner David Toms who double-bogeyed the final hole.
Mickelson and Toms played the first 17 holes of the closing foursomes in a brilliant nine under par.
But then world number two Mickelson pulled their last drive and world number six Toms, with whom he played so well in the Ryder Cup in September, pulled a six-iron into the rocks left of the green.
A penalty drop, a chip 20 feet past and a missed putt opened the door to the Japanese pair, who had just birdied the 16th and 17th to draw level, and a closing par gave them the million-dollar first prize by two shots.
“It was certainly a disappointing way for us to finish, given that we fought so hard to get back in the tournament,” said Mickelson, who in Saturday’s amazing fourball 57 had an eagle and 10 birdies.
Toms, Woods’ replacement, made a frank admission as he reflected on the loss.
“I just didn’t think the shot through,” said America’s top-scorer at The Belfry.
“I had a difficult shot, but at the same time I just hit a bad one. I had 130 yards to the front and because I couldn’t get over the tree I was trying to keep the face open so it wouldn’t go left. But I just pulled it.
“I hit a lot of good shots until that last hole, but that’s just part of golf. What else can you say?”
The difference between first and second place was nearly £318,000. Double bogeys do not come much costlier than that.
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