Argentinean gets first major title
Argentinean gets first major title
JAKARTA (JP): Unknown Argentinean Jose Cantero, who has never won a major international event, got what he has been dreaming of when he fired a final round 4-under par-68 to win the Sampoerna Indonesia Open championship by one shot yesterday.
Cantero fired six fine birdies but dropped a stroke at the par five 18th when his shot landed dead on the rough and missed a put for a bogey.
"I'm happy with the victory because this is the first major international title I have won in the Asian Tour," the delighted Argentinean said.
Since taking part in the first of 12 scheduled legs of the Asian Tour, in Thailand, until the Malaysian Open, the fifth leg in the series, before the Indonesia Open, Cantero had never finished among the best 20.
For his success efforts at the Pantai Indah Kapuk yesterday, the Buenos Aires-based golfer collected the top winner's check worth US$41,650.
He said he will play in the next event in the Asian Tour, the Sempati Bali Open, slated for March 23 to 26 at the Bali Golf and Country Club.
One shot behind for second place was overnight leader, Australian Don Fardon, who carded a 2-under par 70 (35 35) for a four-day total of 278 (68 70 70 70). His second placing was worth $27,775.
Defending champion Frank Nobilo, who has only played four tournament this season due to a foot injury, was one shot further back to finish third with a 9-under par-279. He made the first nine tour with a fine 33, returning to the club house he carded a 36.
"I love to play here and look forward to be here again next year," Nobilo said. He will proceed to Florida, Miami for a major event in the United States on Monday.
American Gary Webb, winner of the 1993 Sampoerna Indonesia Open in Bali, and was second after the third round on Friday behind Fardon, was tied at fifth place together with Bob May (USA), Johan Tomba (Swe), Gustavo Rojas (Arg) and Gary Simpson (Aus) each with a 281.
They were just one stroke ahead of South African Roger Wessels who carded 68 72 70 70 for an 8-under 280.
Kasiyadi, who became the sole local golfer to miss the cut off, after the second round Thursday, was placed at the 54th spot tied with Stephen Scahill of New Zealand with 292s.
After Kasyadi's success of winning the title in the 1987 tournament by scoring a brilliant 11-under 273, he was never able to repeat his victory in the following years of the annual event.
Selected final results 277 - Jose Cantero (Arg) 69 71 69 68 278 - Don Fardon (Aus) 68 70 70 70 279 - Frank Nobilo (Nzl) 74 68 68 69 280 - Roger Wessels (RSA) 68 72 70 70 281 - Bob May (USA) 73 72 69 67
- Johan Tumba (Swe) 76 71 67 67
- Gustavo Rojas (Arg) 69 72 71 69
- Gary Simpson (Aus) 69 71 72 69
- Gary Webb (USA) 69 74 66 72 282 - Andre Cruse (RSA) 74 70 72 66
- Hale Irwin (USA) 70 68 74 70
- Todd Hamilton (USA) 70 71 70 71 283 - Blair Philip (Can) 76 71 67 69
- Craig McClellan (USA) 70 70 73 70 284 - Jim Rutledge (Can) 71 72 71 70
- Eric Meeks (USA) 72 69 72 71
- Dustin Phillips (USA) 70 71 71 72
- Mardan Mamat (Sin) 71 69 69 75 285 - Brian Wilson (USA) 74 72 73 66
- Glen Joyner (Aus) 68 73 78 66
- Robert Boldt (USA) 71 73 72 69
- Greg Lesher (USA) 72 70 73 70
- Andrew Bonhomme (Aus) 73 69 71 72 286 - Gary Nicklaus (USA) 73 70 74 69
- David Podlich (Aus) 69 73 72 72
- Kevin Wentworth (USA) 72 69 72 73