Indonesian golfers extend lead in Putra Cup tourney

TANGERANG, West Java (JP): Indonesia extended its lead at the Putra Cup team amateur golf championship yesterday to a commanding 11 strokes, while team captain Sukamdi was granted a present that makes this tournament one he will never forget.

"Last night I was so nervous waiting for word from my wife in Medan, who was in labor with our second child," Sukamdi said. "It was a boy and I named him Winardi Putra."

Sukamdi, the overnight leader and player/captain for the host side, failed to match his sparkling opening round 66 , but was happy to come of the course at par.

Fortunately Dana Mahmud, 19, the youngest player on Indonesia's four-man team, picked up where Sukamdi left off and fired four consecutive birdies at the par-3 third, par-5 fourth, par-4 fifth and par-4 sixth. Another birdie at the 461 meter par- 5 eighth left him in firm command with a 31 at the turn.

On the back nine Dana, who has donned the national colors in many international events, including the Asian Games and SEA Games, had some problems leaving him with an even par 36.

"This morning I had a stomach ache which really worried me," Dana said. "It struck me again a bit at the start of the back nine. But, I'm still happy with my 67."

Following three pars in array, Dana missed a put at the 497 meters par-5 of the 13th which cost him a bogey. He promptly made this up with a birdy at the next hole before squandering another deficit at the 15th and concluded the last three holes with pars.

While Dana had the best round, the veteran Sukamdi's 72 was enough to stay atop the individual event leaderboard with a 138 (66 72), one shot ahead of his young teammate.

Deny Supriadi, who is making his debut at the annual meeting, helped Indonesia to preserve the top spot when he carded a very solid two-under 70 (36 34).

The 20-year-old Deny birdied the sixth, eighth, 14th and 15th, with two bogeys the only blemishes on his score-card.

Indonesia finished the day with a total score of 416 (207 209), leaving the Philippines, Asia's strongest golfing nation, at their closest pursuer at 427 (215, 212). Thailand was three strokes further back in third.

Sirikit Cup

In the women's battle for the Sirikit Cup, South Korea headed the leader board with a 140 (68 72) followed by New Zealand with a 148 (73 75) for second place.

The Philippines and Australia shared third place each with a 149.

Indonesia, fielding a young but experienced team of Ani Iman, Retno Mustiari and Elly Mulani, was in fifth at 150. Elly carded a 74 (36 38) while Retno scored a 76 (41 35). Only the two best scores were counted.

Today the golfers from nine countries for the Putra Cup and 14 nations for the Sirikit Cup will continue with their third and second rounds respectively.

The winner of men's team will be decided over 72 holes of stroke play, while the women's event will be played over 54.

Defending champion Japan was forced to finish way below at 154 (76 78) for eighth after its top player Tamami Izumoto became seriously ill and was sent home last night. She was replaced by Harumi Takagami (rsl).

Results Putra Cup

1 416 - Indonesia (207 209) 2 427 - Philippine (215 212) 3 430 - Thailand (212 218) 4 438 - Malaysia (219 219) 5 440 - Hong Kong (215 225) 6 445 - Singapore (220 225) 7 460 - Papua New Guinea (230 230) 8 465 - Myanmar (230 235) 9 479 - Brunei Darussalam (243 236)

Individual (selected) 1 138 - Sukamdi (Ina) 66 72 2 139 - Dana Mahmud (Ina) 72 67 3 140 - Antonio Lascuna (Phi) 70 70 4 142 - Wong Hung Nung (Mal) 72 70 5 143 - Preecha Senaprom (Tha) 71 72 6 144 - David Tonroe (HK) 70 74

Bahtiar (Ina) 69 75 8 145 - David Yere (PNG) 74 71

Ruben O Sasutil (Phi) 73 72

Michael Grant (HK) 71 74

Sirikit Cup

1 140 - South Korea 68 62 2 148 - New Zealand 73 75 3 149 - Australia 73 76

Philippines 73 76 5 150 - Indonesia 74 76 6 151 - India 74 77 7 152 - Sri Lanka 74 78 8 154 - Japan 76 78 9 156 - Malaysia 77 79 10 158 - Thailand 75 83 11 162 - Singapore 77 85 12 167 - Hong Kong 80 87 13 168 - China 83 85