Fri, 21 Mar 1997

Jafar Kelana takes joint lead at Bukit Darmo Golf championships

SURABAYA (JP): Local golfer Jafar Kelana did not let his four- day-old ankle injury stop him climbing the placings to share the lead of the Bukit Darmo Golf Championships yesterday with Sweden's Steven Akito-Lindskog.

Jafar shared the lead after the second round here with a two- day total of 4-under-par 140.

Jafar (not Johan as incorrectly reported Thursday) was lying third with three local golfers on 70 after round one Wednesday. He repeated this score yesterday (36 34) as he jumped to the lead.

The Madura-born golfer who began the second round from tee-off number 10, opened his game with a birdie on the first. He shot another birdie on the 16th for a 2-under-par 34 after the first nine holes.

Entering the second nine with tee-off number one, the 39-year- old father of three played uneasily as pain in his ankle increased. He had two bogeys before regaining his composure for three fine consecutive birdies on the 7th, 8th and 9th.

"Just when I was about to play on the first of the second nine, I had a severe pain in my right ankle. I tried my best to hold off the pain but I still suffered with two bogeys," Jafar, who turned professional seven years ago, told The Jakarta Post yesterday.

Heat

Surabaya's famous stinging heat affected several golfers yesterday who could not repeat their first round performances.

Overnight leader Atako-Lindskog of Sweden had to share the lead after scoring an even-par 72 (34 38) yesterday, four shots worse than his score Wednesday.

Bachtiar Sanja and Ilyassak of Jakarta Golf Club, who shared fourth place with Endang Supriatnaon Wednesday, rose to second place yesterday with 3-under-par 141s.

Bachtiar went out with an even-par 36 after firing an eagle on the 462-meter par 5 8th hole after bogeying the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The far-hitting Bachtiar birdied the 501-meter par 5 4th hole.

Defending-champion Kasiyadi of Yani Golf Club, Surabaya's oldest golf links, who was joint third Wednesday, surged ahead to a joint second place after carding a 71 for a two-day total of 141. He was one shot behind his previous day's tally.

Buari of Yani Golf Club became the fourth player to share second place after scoring 71 (35 36) yesterday.

The field of 120 golfers was reduced after yesterday's play to 20 professionals plus ties and 20 amateur golfers. Golfers who finished above 151 were automatically eliminated.

The pros will vie for Rp 50 million total cash prizes.

A Rp 10 million bonus for a course record has remained well out of the field's reach.

Jack Nicklaus II, who designed the course, holds the course record of 66. (rsl)

Selected results: 140 - Jafar Kelana (BDG) 70 70 Steven Atako-Lindskog (Swe) 68 72 141 - Bachtiar Sanja (JGC) 71 70 Ilyassak (JGC) 71 70 Buari (YGC) 70 71 Kasiyadi (YGC) 70 71 144 - Achmad (FAT) 74 70 Gemmy Subagio 73 71 Patrick D. Young (TDY) 72 72 145 - Maan Naasim (SWG) 69 76 146 - M Said (SSR) 75 71 Burhan Bora (MGC) 76 70 147 - Sanusi (MNG) 76 71 148 - Budiono (PRP) 73 75 Sumarno (PGPI) 74 74 149 - Surisman (HGC) 76 73 Kamim (ANG) 75 74 150 - Sarmili (PJG) 75 75 Sudihartono 73 77 151 - Asep Capri (DIG) 77 74 Hamzah Rachmadi (JGC) 76 75 Endang Supriatna (HGC) 71 80