Dana, Kasiyadi share lead in golf tourney

TANGERANG, West Java (JP): Dana Mahmud and Kasiyadi each scored three-under par 69 for the joint lead after the first day of the Rp 100 million (US$11,700) Andersen Consulting Challenge golf championship at the Bumi Serpong Damai Golf Course, Tangerang, on Tuesday.

A total of 60 professional and 30 amateur golfers are taking part in the tournament, vying for the Rp 27 million top cash prize. Tournament organizer Andersen Consulting is providing Rp 10 million in cash for the golfer who can hit a hole-in-one at hole 7 par 3.

Both overnight co-leaders said they had no difficulties in dealing with the course and vowed to fight it out to win the championship.

"I've had no difficulties here because I'm familiar with the course. I once made it five-under-par 67 for my best record but I've not played as well as I did then," Dana told reporters at the clubhouse.

Dana, a product of the national training camp, turned professional in late 1997.

Kasiyadi birdied hole four in the first nine and struck another two birdies at holes 14 and 18 on way to topping the scoreboard.

"I'm trying hard to win the championship because I haven't won any titles this season. Unfortunately, I haven't had much training lately," he said.

"I know the course well and it's a nice one. The only challenge is the green, which, unlike the Jagorawi course, requires extra care. You can play it up to the limit here," he added.

Kasiyadi, the defending champion, was referring to the narrow and short old course at Jagorawi Golf and Country Club, where he finished third along with Japanese Toru Kinoshita on eight-over par 296 in the just-concluded JJGF Open Golf Championships-Epson Cup. (nvn)

Leading scores (Indonesian, unless stated): 69 - Dana Muhammad, Kasiyadi 70 - Maan Nasim, Rashid I 71 - Jamal Noor, Jamel Ondo, Stephen Atako-Lindskog (Swe) 72 - Gimin Soewiryo, Sumarno, 73 - Ilyassak 74 - Bachtiar Sanja, Sanusi, Ukatman, 75 - Abrahamsyah, Burhan Bora, Dede Idris, Endang Supriatna, Ponimin, Sudihartono 76 - Junaedi Alex, Bonin B Denny S Junaedi Alex, Kajum, Sukamdi