Ilyassak moves to top position

BOGOR, West Java (JP): Indonesia's Ilyassak displayed his best golfing skills on Saturday to share the lead going into the final of the JJGF Open Golf Championships 2000-Epson Cup.

He produced the tournament's best score so far at four-under- par 68, firing an unprecedented eagle in the process at hole 9 par 5.

Adding to his scoresheet were two birdies he sank at holes three and seven at the first nine plus a spectacular birdie at hole 15, in which he chipped the ball from a bunker at the 456- meter par 5 directly to the hole.

Overnight co-leader Atsushi Takamatsu of Japan played safely with one-under-par 71 to remain on the top of the standings after three rounds. He hit three birdies at holes three, five and nine before marking the day with double bogeys at holes 13 and 17.

Coming second was Maan Nasim, who also improved his performance with a one-under-par 71 to trail the leading couple by three strokes at 216.

Malaysian Danny Chia, who set the pace in the first two rounds, slipped to seventh place after scoring a grim 11-over-par 83 for a total nine-over-par 225 along with Indonesia's Putu Dipta and Toru Kinoshita of Japan.

Ilyassak, Maan and Takamatsu now look to be the real contenders for the top cash prize worth Rp 68 million (US$8,000) on Sunday. They will be in the same final flight.

"Actually, my major challengers are not Takamatsu and Maan but the course, which is narrow with a lot of trees. Not to mention the pin's placement," he told reporters at the clubhouse.

In the amateurs camp, golfers being groomed to form the backbone of the national team dominated the field.

Defending champion Suprapto led the pack with 229 after firing one-over-par 73 on Saturday.

He shot two bogeys at holes one and eight with three birdies at holes two, four, and five for an even par 36 in the first nine. He shot two birdies at holes 12 and 14 but costing three bogeys at holes 16, 17 and 18.

Trailing him was Indra Hermawan with a total 233. A pack of three golfers shared third place with 236. Amin Zarens and Iin Setiawan each scored 77 while Ruswin Nazswir made 82 on Friday. (nvn)

Leading scores (Indonesian unless stated): 213 - Ilyassak 74-71-68, Atsushi Takamatsu (Jpn) 73-69-71 216 - Maan Nasim 69-76-71 221 - Sukamdi 70-78-73, Yasuo Sone (Jpn) 74-72-75 222 - Kasiyadi 76-76-70 223 - P. Gunasagaran (Mal) 72-77-74 224 - Tatsuya Kihara (Jpn) 76-76-72, Denny Supriadi 76-75-73,

Gimin Suwiryo 72-76-76 225 - Putu Dipta 75-74-76, Toru Kinoshita (Jpn) 74-74-77, Danny

Chia (Mal) 69-73-83 226 - Stephen Atako-Lindskog (Swe) 73-78-75, Shaifubahri Muda

(Mal) 74-73-79