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