Maruyama named Asian golfer of the month

HONG KONG -- Japanese golfer Shigeki Maruyama has been voted Asian Golfer of the Month after helping the International team to victory over America in last month's Presidents Cup.

Maruyama, nicknamed "Smiley" by fellow pros, scooped the award after winning all five of his matches during the three-day tournament held at Australia's Royal Melbourne course.

A relative unknown outside Japan, Maruyama's Presidents Cup heroics included a foursomes victory with Australian partner Craig Parry over Tiger Woods and Fred Couples.

The International team crushed their American counterparts 20½ to 11½ .

TW 4/1/98