In the light of last week's piece about Shigeki Maruyama and the attempts of himself and his Japanese colleagues to break through in the US, it was richly ironic that Darren Clarke (right) should have captured the Chunichi Crowns tournament in Japan. But the Japanese golfers may still have the right idea.

While the Ulsterman was collecting $180,000 for his victory in the homeland, Japan's best were chasing a top prize of $630,000 at Greensboro. This is explained by the fact that while the US Tour is offering a total of $180 million in 49 events this year, a contracted Japanese tour has a relatively modest $31 million on offer in 31 events.

The overall picture reflects the sterling support from leading American corporations of their home tour, whereas in Japan, their oriental counterparts stay away. So, while last weekend's event was sponsored by Chunichi, a daily newspaper, corporations like Sony, Honda and Nissan, are pouring money into the American game. Apparently it has to do with culture as well as economics insofar as corporate hospitality tents arrived on the Japanese tour only last year.

According to a leading tournament organiser: "In Japan, the ingredients of a tournament are not the same. We don't really have the hospitality package, so companies see Japanese tournaments as a vehicle for advertising only." So it is that the current tour includes sponsorship by an airline, a soft-drinks company, a golf-shop chain and a newspaper.

We are told that the famously polite Japanese golf fans would never dare heckle or shout while they walk the course with their favourite player. Which, of course, explains the sponsoring presence of gentle newspaper folk.