Shigeki Maruyama
Name:
Shigeki MaruyamaAlso known as:
Smiling assassinCountry:
JapanBorn:
Sept 12, 1969 in Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan.Original/Home Club:
Occupation:
Professional golferTurned Pro:
1992Presidents Cup player (1998, 2000). Multiple wins on the Japan and PGA Tours.
Maruyama, sometimes called the "smiling assassin" due to his ever-present smile on the golf course, is one of the best Japanese golfers of the modern era. He recorded victories on the PGA Tour in three consecutive years (2001, '02 & '03), but now plays mainly on the Japan Tour.
Japan
Japan Tobacco
Played as the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup (Dec 3-6; Japanese major ch'ship and season-ending event). Maruyama (Jpn) beat Kyung-tae "K.T." Kim (S Kor) with a par at the fourth playoff hole (par-3 18th), to claim his 10th and last Japan Tour win. [Tokyo Yomiuri CC, Inagi, nr Tokyo, Japan].
America
Chrysler
Played as the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro (Oct 16-19). Second-placed Brad Faxon (USA) finished 5 strokes behind Maruyama (Jpn), who recorded the last of his three PGA Tour wins. [Forest Oaks CC, Greensboro, NC].
America
Verizon
Played as the Verizon Byron Nelson Classic (May 9-12). Second-placed Ben Crane (USA) finished 2 shots behind Maruyama (Japan), who won his second PGA Tour title. [TPC course, Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas, Irving, nr Dallas, TX. Early rounds also on the Cottonwood Valley course].
America
x
Played as the Greater Milwaukee Open (July 12-15). 31-year-old Shigeki Maruyama (Jpn) beat Charles Howell III (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole, to record the first of his three PGA Tour wins. [Brown Deer Park GC, Brown Deer, nr Milwaukee, Wisc.].
Japan
Bridgestone
Played as the Bridgestone Open (Oct 21-24; Japan Tr event). Second-placed Toshimitsu Izawa (Jpn) finished 5 shots behind Maruyama (Jpn), who this event for the third time in five years. [Sodegaura course, Sodegaura CC, Chiba, Jpn].
Japan
PGA of Japan
Played as the Japan PGA Championship (May 15-18; Japanese major ch'ship). Second-placed Shusaku Sugimoto (Jpn) finished 2 shots behind Maruyama (Jpn), who won his first Japanese "major". [West course, Central GC, Namegata, Ibaraki].
Japan
Hitachi
Played as the Golf Nippon Series Hitachi Cup (Dec 4-7; Japanese major ch'ship). Second-placed Tateo "Jet" Ozaki (Jpn) finished 2 shots behind Maruyama (Jpn). [Tokyo Yomiuri CC, Inagi, nr Tokyo, Japan].
Japan
Bridgestone
Played as the Bridgestone Open (Oct 17-20; Japan Tr event). Second-placed Brian Watts (Can/USA) finished 2 shots behind defending champion Maruyama (Jpn). [Sodegaura course, Sodegaura CC, Chiba, Jpn].
Japan
Bridgestone
Played as the Bridgestone Open (Oct 19-22; Japan Tr event). Second-placed Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki (Jpn), Mark Calcavecchia (USA) and Shinichi Yokota (Jpn) finished 3 shots behind Maruyama (Jpn), who claimed his second Japan Tour win. [Sodegaura course, Sodegaura CC, Chiba, Jpn].
Japan
Pepsi
Played as the Pepsi Ube Kosan Open (May 20-23). Second-placed Todd Hamilton (USA) finished 2 shots behind first-time Japan Tour winner Maruyama (Jpn). [Ube 72 CC, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan].
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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