Atako-Lindskog leads Matoa National Open by one stroke
JAKARTA (JP): Nigerian Stephen Atako-Lindskog recouped from a shaky first day's play to card a course record of 63 on Wednesday and take the lead in the Rp 100 million (US$13,300) Matoa Nasional Open-Andersen Consulting Challenge golf tournament.
Atako-Lindskog, a seven-year resident of Indonesia, used his powerful drives to make amends for Tuesday's error-prone opening round, in which he carded a three over par 75.
His nine under par course record earned him Rp 1 million plus Rp 500,000 for the day's best score. The previous record was 64 set by Denis Poulsen two years ago.
"Today is my best achievement during my career as a pro golfer. I have never scored 63. I used to make 80," he joked in fluent Indonesian.
Atako-Lindskog, who qualified for the 1998 Omega Tour after finishing fourth in the opening tournament in Johor, Malaysia, early this year, eagled the 18th hole after a string of birdies and a 15th hole bogey.
Leading national golfer Kasyadi also improved his play at the Matoa Nasional golf course and country club in Ciganjur, South Jakarta. He scored 68 for a cumulative five under par 144 to stay in contention for the winner's Rp 25 million purse.
Leading the field in the opening round, Kasyadi dropped to second behind the Nigerian but remains two strokes ahead of stiffest rival and defending champion Maan Nasim, who fired a three under par 69 on Wednesday.
Overnight joint leader Gimin Suwiryo saw his bid to hit a 67 flounder. The part-timer managed only par to finish the day fourth on the scoreboard.
Gimin coached the national team for the 38th Putra Cup at Santa Elena Golf Club in Santa Rosa, Laguna province in the Philippines.
Altogether six golfers beat par in the second round, including amateur Sarmili who carded a 68 to lead his counterparts by one shot on 144.
After the second round, 23 professional and 12 amateur golfers survived the cut.
Atako-Lindskog, Maan and Kasyadi are in the same group for the third round on Thursday.
The tournament will conclude Friday and will be followed by a pro-am event on Saturday. (yan)
Leading scores (a-denotes amateur): 138 - Stephen Atako-Lindskog (75-63) 139 - Kasyadi (71-68) 142 - Maan Nasim (73-69) 143 - Gimin Suwiryo (71-72), Sumarno (72-71), Sukamdi (71-72) 144 - a-Sarmili (76-68) 145 - a-Jerome Deladearte (73-72) 148 - a-Sofyan Idup (74-74) 149 - a-Jemin Syahputra (76-73) 150 - a-Denny Supriyadi (76-74), a-Sahid (76-74)