Indonesia surprisingly takes lead in men's, women's golf
Indonesia surprisingly takes lead in men's, women's golf
JAKARTA (JP): Fielding the best teams it has ever had gave
Indonesia a surprise lead in both the men's and ladies' teams in
yesterday's SEA Games golf championships at Matoa Nasional Golf
and Country Club, Ciganjur, South Jakarta.
Sukamdi headed the men's team to a nine-stroke lead over close
rival Thailand after carding a two-day total score of 421 (212
209) ahead of the Thais who have 430 (218 212)). Sukamdi carded a
70 (35 35) for a two-day score of 138 (68 70).
Ten shots behind Thailand for third place was the Philippines
with a team total of 440 (220 220).
Underdog Indonesia jolted favorites the Philippines by forcing
its way to the top of the standings with a 146 (72 74) in the
ladies event which began yesterday.
The Filipinas, who were favored to win the title, failed to
live up to expectations yesterday and were forced to second spot
with a 148 (72 76).
Third was Malaysia with a team total of 149 (71 78). The
country's leading lady golfer Lai Yin Koe carded yesterday's best
round of 71 but her teammate Ai Lian Lim played poorly for a 78.
"The two Indonesian teams at this year's SEA Games are the
best we have had for the last 15 years. They are among the best
players we usually send for either the Putra Cup, SEA Games,
Asian Games or the Sirikit Cup," said Taufic Aziz, Indonesia Golf
Association secretary-general.
However, he added, "taking a nine-point lead in the men's
event and just two strokes ahead in the women's competition do
not guarantee winning the title. Just wait and see until the last
hole is played on Friday".
Thailand's Tongchai Jaidee, who according to Sukamdi was among
the foreign golfers to watch, surged ahead yesterday with a
series of five blistering birdies and a bogey for a 67 (35 32).
But it was not enough to scare Sukamdi and company as the Thais
other two players Ruangsan Ruengthum and Songphan Phuakprakhong
had only a 71 and 74 respectively.
Indonesia's Jemin Saputra played exceptionally well yesterday
when he scored a 3-under 69 to cover Sukamdi's poor game of 2-
under 70. Third Indonesian player Denny Supriadi had an identical
70 to strengthen the host team's top position. (rsl)
Results
Team
Men:
421 - Indonesia 212 209
430 - Thailand 218 212
440 - Philippines 220 220
440 - Malaysia 216 224
445 - Singapore 229 216
468 - Brunei Darussalam 235 233
525 - Laos 264 261
Ladies:
146 _ Indonesia 72 74
148 - Philippines 72 76
149 - Malaysia 71 78
154 - Thailand 74 80
155 - Singapore 77 78
Individual
Men:
138 - Sukamdi (Ina) 68 70, Tongchai Jaidee (Tha) 71 67
142 - Jemin Saputra (Ina) 73 69
143 - Denny Supriadi (Ina) 73 70, Dana Mahmud (Ina) 71 72
145 - Juan Miguel Rocha (Phi) 73 72
146 - Rangsan Ruengthum (Tha) 75 71, Nachimuthu Ramasamy (Mal) 73
73, Songphan Phuakprakhong (Tha) 72 74
Ladies:
71 - Lay Yin Koe (Mal) 36 35
72 - Ani Iman (Ina) 36 36, Dorothy Joy Delasin (Phi) 32 40
74 - Retno Purwandari (Ina) 36 38, Rungthiwa Pangjan (Tha) 39 35
76 - Ria Quazon (Phi) 36 40
77 - Ping Lian (Sin) 38 39