Four-way tie in opening round of Matoa National

JAKARTA (JP): Four veteran golfers shared the lead after the first round of the Rp 100 million (US$13,300) Matoa Nasional Open-Andersen Consulting Challenge on Tuesday.

Burhan Bora, Gimin Suwiryo, Kasyadi and Sukamdi, the country's most experienced professionals thus far, each carded one-under par rounds of 71 to head the 80-strong tournament now underway at the Matoa Nasional golf course and country club in Ciganjur, South Jakarta.

One stroke behind the quartet are Bachtiar, Buari, Jaiman, Sumarno and amateur player Suyanto.

Defending champion Maan Nasim finished the day with a one-over par 73, along with eight other players.

Gimin birdied the first, third and ninth holes but had bogeys on the 11th and 12th. He later blamed his underachieving form on a lack of competitive play in recent months.

"My first swing on two holes along the back nine was not very good. Maybe it's because I have been absent from tournaments for a while," Gimin told the media after his round.

Gimin has steered away from competition over the past five months to coach junior players who represented Indonesia at the 38th Putra Cup at Santa Elena Golf Club in Santa Rosa, Laguna province, south of Manila in the Philippines, early this month.

Indonesia finished third behind Thailand and the host nation.

Gimin said the liquidation of his former office, BDNI bank, had allowed him to devote more time to his personal interests.

BDNI was one of 16 private banks closed down by the government in November last year.

"It's not easy to compete while you have your mind on something else," said Gimin.

The 42-year-old Gimin said he was aiming for a round of 67 on Wednesday.

"I'll try my best because the competition here is quite stiff," he said.

Separately, Kasyadi blamed the greens for his unsatisfactory score.

"I think the grass on the greens is not like the grass on other courses. The fairways are OK, but the greens are a bit smooth," he said.

Kasyadi birdied the 12th and 18th holes and bogeyed the fourth. Burhan and Sukamdi made four birdies and three bogeys respectively.

The tournament concludes on Friday and will be followed by a pro-am event on Saturday. First prize in the four-day event is Rp 24,975,000. (yan)

Leading scores (a-denotes amateur): 71 - Burhan Bora, Gimin Suwiryo, Kasyadi, Sukamdi 72 - Bachtiar, Buari, Jaiman, Sumarno, a-Suyanto 73 - Maan Nasim, Munandar, Warsono, Joy Savelo, a-Jerome Deladearte, a-Denny Supriyadi, a-Neneng K., a-Yasmari