Shigeki Maruyama And Precept Make History At The Byron Nelson

Maruyama becomes first Asian player with multiple victories on PGA Tour

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COVINGTON, Ga. (May 13, 2002) - Shigeki Maruyama is no stranger to making history. His victory last year at the Greater Milwaukee Open was the first victory by a Japanese player on the U.S. mainland. On Sunday, Maruyama fired a 2-under-par 68--his fourth round in the 60s--to win the Verizon Byron Nelson Classic by two shots, becoming the first Asian player with multiple PGA Tour Victories

Maruyama finished at 14-under par 266, two shots clear of runner-up Ben Crane and four shots clear of third-place finisher Tiger Woods. Remarkably, in a field that boasted eight of the top 10 players in the world, Maruyama led the field in birdies with 21 and never trailed after his second-round 7-under-par 63. On Sunday, Maruyama showed why he is called the "Smilin' Assassin" as he made four clutch up-and-downs on the back nine to clinch the victory, which earned him a berth in this year's U. S. Open.

In securing his historic second PGA Tour victory of his career, Maruyama used a Precept Tour Premium LS (Japanese version, labeled "Tour Stage"), Bridgestone Tour Stage driver and Bridgestone Tour Stage MR-23 irons.

Precept is the golf brand of Bridgestone Sports (U.S.A.) Inc., which is based near Atlanta in Covington, Ga. Precept products include golf balls, clubs and accessories. Precept sells these products in all 50 states, as well as Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Bridgestone Sports (U.S.A.), Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Sports Co. Ltd., whose headquarters is in Tokyo.