John Senden claims his second title despite poor shots
John Senden claims his second title despite poor shots
JAKARTA (JP): Overnight leader John Senden of Australia ended his three-day performance at the US$250,000 Tugu Pratama PGA Asian Tour with shaky golf yesterday, but this did not stop him from claiming his second career title.
Senden tallied four birdies and four bogeys in yesterday's final round for a lackluster par 72 and a total 279, but remained two strokes ahead of Felix Casas of the Philippines who also carded a par 72 yesterday.
Favorite Frank Nobilo of New Zealand produced a superb comeback with a three-under 69, but failed to close the gap on Senden. Nobilo was tied for the third place with Australian Glen Joyner and Malaysian Mohammad Ali Kadir.
Indonesian number one Kasiyadi played a steady game to stay among the top 10. He totaled 284 to finish seventh in the 72- field tournament.
Several times during the final day Casas and Kadir closed to within one stroke, but Senden replied with a birdie to keep in front. Casas was just one stroke shy of leveling Senden going to the 17th hole, before the Filipino flopped in his birdie attempt.
Casas shot a brilliant second shot on the green of the final par 5 hole. Senden, however, made a birdie to clinch the title.
"I didn't think I would be the winner when I teed off. Golf is such a strange thing," Senden said afterwards. He is now $33,320 richer, his biggest prize he has ever won, after the victory.
The tournament, held at the Bumi Serpong Damai golf course, is the third event of the season in the Asian tour.
The tour will move to the 1996 Benson and Hedges Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur from Jan. 19 to Jan. 22. (amd)
Final scores: 279 - John Senden (Aus) 69 67 71 72 281 - Felix Casas (Phi) 72 70 67 72 282 - Frank Nobilo (NZ) 73 69 71 69
Glen Joyner (Aus) 68 71 72 71
M. Ali Kadir (Mal) 69 70 70 73 283 - Tony Carolan (Aus) 75 71 68 69 284 - Kasiyadi (Ina) 72 72 71 69 286 - Martin Roberts (Aus) 70 71 73 72 287 - Rodrigo Cuello (Phi) 69 73 72 73 289 - Brian Wilson (U.S.) 72 71 76 70
Fran Quinn (U.S.) 71 73 74 71 290 - Ken Mattiace (U.S.) 76 72 73 69
Bob Mattiace (U.S.) 76 72 72 70
Danny Mijovic (Can) 75 73 70 72
Sukamdi (Ina-amateur) 68 72 75 75