Fryatt on course to Indonesia Open title

Fryatt on course to Indonesia Open title

JAKARTA (JP): Edward Fryatt of England lost some of his dazzle in the third round of the US$250,000 Indonesia Open golf championship yesterday, but his lackluster 3-under par-68 was enough to earn him a commanding seven-stroke lead going to the final.

Fryatt, who set a new course record at the par-71 course on Friday, fired magnificent birdies in the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 8th holes to come out with 32 in the first nine. He sealed the day with a bogey in the 17th hole for a 36 and a total 13-under par- 200 (67 65 68).

With none of golfers breaking his new record, Fryatt becomes the lone candidate to bag the $2,500 bonus from the country club's management.

Sweden's Daniel Chopra, who was only fifth on Friday, made a surprising fight back to reach second with 7-under par-206 (72 68 66).

The Swede fired three birdies in a row from the 3rd hole and another one in the 9th in the front nine. Back at the club, Chopra shot two bogeys and three birdies in the second nine with a total of 66.

Australian Anthony Painter slipped from second to third with 6-under par-207 (66 70 71).

Painter got off to a shaky start yesterday, firing three deficit shots in a row, with only a birdie in the 9th hole. Painter's birdies in the 11th and 15th holes saved his neck and gave him an even par-71.

Rick Todd of Canada carded a 67 to jump 13 places to the fourth with 5-under par-208.

Todd fired three birdies in the front nine and came out with 33. On the back nine, he shot two birdies in the 12th and 17th holes and an eagle in the 15th hole. Unfortunately he fired a bogey in the 13th hole and a double bogey in the last hole.

Early yesterday, South Korean Kim Jong-duk and Malaysian Manimutu Ramayah were disqualified for swinging their clubs before the opening sirens in the second round, which was delayed due to the drizzle.

Tournament director Rudi Lisapally said that both golfers should have been aware of the international standard rules. Neither Kim nor Ramayah could be reached for comment. (05)