Maruyama wins again in Japan
BY Bruce Young | Japan Tour | 2009 Golf Nippon Series JT Cup | Round Four | 06 Dec 2009
40-year-old Shigeki Maruyama won his 10th Japan Golf Tour event and his first since 1999 when he reeled off a final round of 64 to come from four off the 54 hole pace and win the season ending Golf Nippon Series event in Tokyo. Maruyama defeated Korea’s Kyung Tai Kim at the fourth extra hole.
Maruyama, a three time winner on the USPGA Tour in his eight year career there has focused his attention in Japan in 2009 after losing his status in the US last year. He played several events at home at the end of 2008 and has done well this year with several top ten finishes before finally winning again this week.
Maruyama defeated 23-year-old Korean Kyung Tai Kim who, in just his second season on the Japan Golf Tour, would record his 5th runner up finish.
Kazuhiro Yamashita produced a final round of 63 to finish alone in third position while in fourth position were Tomohiro Kondo and the leading Australasian Brendan Jones.
Jones finished his season off in Japan with a round of 66 the same score he produced in his very first round of the year. Jones recorded eight top tens for the season and has finished in 12th position on the money list.
David Smail was the only other Australasian in the 27 man field but finished 23rd despite a strong final 36 holes.
