Buari wins JJGF Open Golf Championship pro-am opener

JAKARTA (JP): The first JJGF Open Golf Championship winner, Buari, made a good start for the fifth tournament by winning the pro-am opener, stroking four-under-par 68 at the Jagorawi new course on Wednesday.

The tournament, organized by the Japan Jagorawi Golf Foundation (JJGF), is offering Rp 200 million (US$18,350) in prize money.

Three other golfers -- Jamel Ondo, Sumarno and Johny Wong -- jointly finished second carding two-under-par 70.

Johny, however, won the team event with amateurs Daya Zakir and Nivia carding 62 while Buari, teaming up with amateurs Sue Naga and Hirai, only finished second, producing 63.

In third place were I Nengah Darma together with amateurs Hida M, and Matsumoto M carding 64.

In the first nine, Buari produced four birdies in the par-5 hole 1, par-4 hole 3, 7 and 9. But he almost spoiled his lead by bogeying in the par-5 hole 8. He produced three-under-par 33.

Going home, he made another bogey at par-4 hole 14 with only two birdies at the par-5 hole 10 and par-4 hole 12 for one-under- par 35.

Jamel produced an even-par 36 going out after carding even par at the first nine holes. He improved his play in the back nine with two birdies at hole 14 and par-5 hole 16.

Suwarno also made an even-par 36 in the front nine and two- under 34 in the second nine. He made a bogey at hole 1 and covered the deficit by producing a birdie at hole 5.

He improved his form on his way back to the clubhouse, only seeing two birdies at hole 10 and 11 without bogeys.

Wong managed to card three birdies while going out in hole 1, hole 4 and hole 5, but his carelessness of creating two bogeys at hole 2 and hole 9 made him take only one-under 35.

Returning to the club, he scored an eagle at hole 16 and two birdies at hole 12 and 13 only to produce three bogeys -- at hole 11, 17 and 18 -- carding another one-under.

Thursday will see the first cut-off round with Jayadi, Ponirin Diman and amateur Sofyan FAG being the dew sweepers, teeing off at 6:30 a.m. They will be followed by Hamzah Rahmadi, Ronald S. Singh and amateur Andy Djajanegara.

The second cut-off round is on Friday and only 25 golfers, including ties, will be eligible for the Saturday and Sunday final rounds. (nvn)