Indonesia takes golf early lead in Asian Games
Indonesia takes golf early lead in Asian Games
HIROSHIMA (Agencies): Indonesia, headed by the country's
number two golfer Bahtiar Sanja took the early lead of the Asian
Games golf championship by one stroke ahead of Asia's powerhouses
Japan and Chinese Taipei here yesterday.
Indonesia carded a total score of 217 (Bahtiar 70, Sukamdi 73
and Denny Supriyadi 74) Japan and Taiwan each had 218 while South
Korea and India each with a 219.
Bahtiar, despite of a shaky start for an even par 36, managed
to regain his form on the back nine for a two-under 34 for a fine
two-under 70, one stroke ahead of Chang Tse-peng of Chinese
Taipei, Japanese Kiyotaka Oie and Harmeet Kahlon of India.
Japan was the champion of the Beijing Games in 1990.
Chinese golf pioneer Guan Xuefeng plans to move to Japan in an
effort to catch up with the rest of world in a sport that has
found a new frontier in his home country.
The Chinese men's team was eighth after the first round behind
Singapore (221) and Philippines (222) after yesterday's first
round.
Japanese passion for golf and strong PGA Tour has gained the
attention of their Chinese neighbors.
"We must come to Japan to study golf, then return to China to
share our knowledge," China men's player Guan Xuefeng said. "To
prevail we must work very hard."
China's top players need not worry about making a living and
finding time for golf. Guan began golf for the sport's health
benefits. Now it is his vocation.
"I started at my company and because I play well, they support
me to play more often," Guan said. "There is a master and he
takes care of everything I need."
Even so, Guan and his teammates plan to join the professional
ranks next year, when China will launch its own golf tour.
"We will try for our company, our country and ourselves, but
we're not yet sure we will be able to be first," Guan said.
China's low man was Zhang Lianwei, who shared sixth after
opening with a par 72. Cheng Jun was next at 73.
China's women were third in the team race at 149, six strokes
behind leader Taiwan and two strokes behind reigning champion
South Korea.
Japanese university student Kaname Yokoo and Indonesia's
Bachtiar Sanja shared the lead after opening rounds of two-under
par 70. One stroke back were India's Harmeet Kahlon, Japan's
Kiyotaka Oie and Taiwan's Chang Tse Peng.
"We have played well, but I want us even better tomorrow. I
want the gold medal," Yokoo said.
Results
Men
70 - Bachtiar Sanja (INA) 36-34, Kaname Yokoo (JPN) 33-37
71 - Chang Tse Peng (TPE) 37-34, Kiyotaka Oie (JPN) 36-35,
Harmeet Kahlon (IND) 38-33
72 - Zhang Lianwei (CHN) 36-36, Mardan Mamat (SIN) 35-37, Ahn
Joo-hwan (KOR) 38-34
73 - Kim Chang-min (KOR) 35-38, Cheng Jun (CHN) 40-33, Amit
Luthra (IND) 37-36, Richard Sinfuego (PHI) 35-38, Seruji
Setia (BRU) 37-36, Ying Juh Lai (TPE) 37-36, Sukamdi (INA)
35-38
74 - Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 38-36, Deny Supriyadi (INA) 35-39,
Hong Chia Yuh 38-36, Kim Jong-Chul (KOR) 37-37
75 - Selvaraja Mayalagan (SIN) 36-39, Chih Bing Lam (SIN) 34-41,
Hamad Farhan (BRN) 37-38, Hu Suk-Ho (KOR) 36-39
Team Scores
217 - Indonesia 217
218 - Japan, Chinese Taipei
219 - S. Korea, India
221 - Singapore
222 - Philippines
227 - China
229 - Brunei
230 - Pakistan and
234 - Bahrain