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