Indra captures lead at 5th PP Cup

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A string of six fine birdies gave local golfer Indra Herwawan a 2-shot lead with a total of 207 (70 68 69) after the third round of the Rp 150 million (US$19,500) 5th Pemuda Pancasila Cup at the Matoa Nasional Golf club on Thursday.

The 21-year-old Indra, who turned pro just a year ago after years as Indonesia's top amateur golfer, had two early bogey, on the par-4 second and the par-3 4th. He shot a birdie on the 3rd hole and two more at the end of the front nine to finish with a 1-under 35.

On the back nine, Indra carded a 2-under 34 courtesy of three birdies (par-4 13th, 17th and par-5 18th) and a bogey on the par- 4 16th.

Second round leader Dana Mahmud from Damai Indah Golf (DIG) in Tangerang dropped into a second place tie on the leaderboard with Ilyassak, also from DIG, on 209. Ilyassak scores were 70, 72 and a brilliant 67, while Dana has played steady with a 69, 68 and 72.

Ilyassak, from Aceh, finished with the day's best score with a 5-under 67 (33 34).

Two shots further back in fourth place at 211 (69 71 71) was Maan Nasim from Sawangan Golf Club.

Most of the top golfers are from Aceh, Surabaya, Tangerang and Jakarta and there is one Japanese golfer, Tomoharu Kimora, who has been living in Bali for several years.

They are all vying for the top cash prize of Rp 27,850,000. Second place will get Rp 16 million and third place will collect Rp 11 million on the final day of the championship on Friday.

Only 28 of the original field of 102 pros made the cut after the second round, which was set at 148. The tournament is being organized by the Indonesian Pro Golfers Association (PGPI), which annually puts on four Mini Tours before the final round, the locally prestigious Pemuda Pancasila Cup.