Tournament article

Shigeo Nagashima Invitational SEGASAMMY Cup Golf Tournament 2019

Dad & Son Maruyama pair couldn't make the CUT to play on the weekends

Even with the support from his legendary Dad, Sean's challenge against the professional tournament wasn't easy. This was Sean Maruyama's second sponsor invitation to the tournament, following the chance last year, since his father Shigeki is sponsored by SEGASAMMY Holdings. But Sean had tough round of golf today and ended up at total 3 over par. Due to the bad weather conditions, the play was suspended, and 59 players couldn't hole out, but even in provisional circumstances, Sean missing the cutline seems to be concrete.

Last year, Sean missed the CUT of 2 strokes, so in order to help him revenge, his father Shigeki stood up to be his caddy, the 3-time winner in US PGA and 10-time winner in Japan PGA.
"I really wanted Sean to play all 4 days."
Shigeki even bought electric cart to carry the bag, done an accurate yardage calculation, cleaned Sean's gears and balls under heavy rain conditions, but no matter how much Shigeki supported, Sean couldn't make the cutline.

"Sean could hit it long, but his short game is not good enough. His shot quality within 150 yards is not good enough. At this point, with his short game quality, he could not play well even in college golf. Especially in US Tours, players drive it long and gets it close to the pin from anywhere of the course, and grabs birdie. For instance, Justin Thomas drives long and misses the fairways, but he eventually gets it close to the pin and manages to mark 11 under. His game plan from the second shot on is superb."

Shigeki Maruyama himself is known for great short games.
"If I could have hit the second shot instead of Sean, I know we could have been in red numbers today."
Sean is now playing in the golf team in UCLA, but he has injured his back during the spring training. He says the injured back is only 60% cured, so even with Dad's support, he couldn't move onto the weekends.
"I made some stupid mistakes going too aggressive and ended up bogeying the hole. But this experience in bad weather condition has given me a great lesson. I have found so many things I lack, so now I have lots of homework for my practices."

"Although, he is still very amateur, his putts were much better than last year" praised Daddy and added "I am exhausted. It is very tiring to do a caddy."

On weekends, Daddy Shigeki will have microphone in his hands, and will be doing a round reporter for the TV commentary.