Thammanoon ready to defend his title<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Defending champion Thammanoon Sriroj of Thailand
\nis ready to defend his title at the US$300,000 1977 Tugu Pratama
\nPGA Championship.<\/p>\n
Thammanoon said at a press conference yesterday that he was in
\ngood shape for the tournament scheduled from today to Saturday at
\nthe Bumi Serpong Damai golf course.<\/p>\n
\"I'm in good shape and I think the guy sit next to me, Mike
\nCunning, will be my toughest rival here,\" said Thammanoon,
\nthrough his interpreter.<\/p>\n
Thammanoon, who was ninth in the latest Omega Tour Order of
\nMerit list after the Bangkok Omega Tour Championship last Sunday,
\nhas won US$83,597 this year.<\/p>\n
But American Cunning said that he would have to work hard to
\nwin on the course designed by Jack Nicklaus.<\/p>\n
Cunning tops the Order of Merit with $141,849.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's Kasiadi, who is in 25th position with $44,984,
\nsaid he was hopeful of winning the tournament.<\/p>\n
\"I think my preparations have been good enough. I also have a
\nhigh motivation to win before our own public,\" said Kasiadi, who
\nis number three on Indonesia's Order of Merit with Rp 45.7
\nmillion (US$12,650).<\/p>\n
The three golfers will also face tough challenges from
\nThailand's Prayad Marksaeng, who finished first in the Bangkok
\ntournament and is number two on the Order of Merit with $118,435.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's Maan Nasim, who is top of the national Order of
\nMerit with Rp 73.5 million, Kenny Walker, who finished third in
\nBangkok, and South Korea's Jun Tae-hyun will also be hard to
\nbeat.<\/p>\n
Other golfers who may pose a threat are Singapore's Murugiah,
\nEric Meeks of the United States, M. Ali Kadir of Malaysia and
\nveteran Indonesian Ilyasyak.<\/p>\n
Lack of practice<\/p>\n
The executive director of the Asian PGA, Ramlan Dato Harun of
\nMalaysia, expressed his satisfaction that the tournament had
\nproduced many good Asian players.<\/p>\n
\"The main problem for Asian players, including Indonesians, is
\nthat they lack practice and tournaments outside their own
\ncountries. If they have a bigger chance to compete in tournaments
\noutside Asia, I believe their experience and skill will improve,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
The organizers decided not to invite any of the world's top
\nplayers and give more places to Asian golfers as a way to realize
\nthis ambition.<\/p>\n
They said 126 professional golfers, including 32 locals, will
\ncompete in the championships, which offers prize money of
\n$300,000, up from $250,000, with $48,000 going to the winner.<\/p>\n
The tournament will also offer $20,000, doubled from last
\nyear, for Sunday's Pro-Am tournament.<\/p>\n
Bonuses of Rp 10 million will be given to golfers who manage
\nto a hole-in-one.<\/p>\n
Anton Ponto, marketing director of Tugu Pratama Indonesia,
\nsaid the increased prize money was to make the event more
\nenticing for pro golfers. (yan)<\/p>\n
Latest Asian PGA Omega Tourleading rankings (after Bangkok
\ntournament):
\n 1. Mike Cunning (USA) US$141,849
\n 2. Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) $118,435
\n 3. Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) $105,375
\n 4. Gerry Norquist (USA) $102,674
\n 5. Des Terblanche (RSA) $98,696
\n 6. Ted Purdy (USA) $96,891
\n 7. Adrian Percey (Aus) $95,037
\n 8. Zaw Moe (Mya) $91,662
\n 9. Thammanoon Sriroj (Tha) $83,597
\n 10. Park No-seok (Kor) $81,850<\/p>\n
National Order of Merit (top five after Aceh Open):
\n 1. Maan Naasim (PGPI) Rp 73.486.000
\n 2. Steven Atako Lindskog (PGPI) Rp 58.957.200
\n 3. Kasiadi (YGC) Rp 45.733.200
\n 4. Burhan Bora (MGC) Rp 34.781.117
\n 5. Ilyasaak (JGC) Rp 22.351.700<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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