Kang of South Korea wins Indonesia Ladies Open

JAKARTA (JP): Kang Soo-yun of South Korea won the Indonesia Ladies Open at the Senayan Golf Club here after scoring a total of 206 (72-64-70) points or four under par on Friday.

For her victory, Kang earned US$10,500 (Rp 84.1 million) of the total cash prize of $75,000 (Rp 574.5 million) at stake. Apart from this victory, Kang also created the best score of 64 on the second day.

Mie Nikata of Japan came in second with 215 (71-74-70) while her teammate Shiho Oyama was in third, also with 215 (71-73-71).

Kang was the star of the day as she received rapturous applause from the spectators. She played consistent and kept the lead throughout the play on Friday.

She said she managed to play well because of the good weather.

"This is the best game I have ever played. The weather was just fine, with a lot of sunshine," Kang said.

About 120 golfers, both amateur and professionals, from 20 countries took part in the three-day tournament.

Most of the golfers come from Indonesia, but the United States, Europe, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan were also represented.

Indonesia was represented by top amateur golfers from various regions in the country.

The Indonesia Ladies Open is included in the Kosaido Ladies Golf Circuit which has held 14 tournaments since 1987. Thailand will hold the next tournament from Feb. 10 to Feb. 12 with $100,000 in prize money.

Taiwan and Malaysia conducted similar tournaments with Taiwan's being held from Jan. 20 to Jan. 22 and Malaysia's from Feb. 10 to Feb. 12.

Wei Jun Jye of Taiwan won the Taiwan Open and Kang won the Malaysian Open.

Meanwhile, Tina Fischer of Germany, who won the tournament in 1998, admitted that she could not adjust herself to the wet course resulting from the continuous rain.

"I think I have to play more on a wet course," Tina said. She finished in 34th place with 224 (78-73-73-73).

Top seeded Pernilla Sterner of Sweden, who won the tournament in 1997, had to be satisfied in 32nd place with 223 (77-69-67).

Stephane D'Alongeville of France was honored as the best golfer in the tournament after scoring 67 (219) in the third day. (lnt)

Final scores: 206 - Kang Soo-yun (Kor) 72-64-70; 215 - Mie Nikata (Jpn) 71-74-70, Shiho Oyama (Jpn) 71-73-71; 216 - Lisa Hed (Swe) 76-70-70, Lorraine Lambert (Aus) 70-74-72; 217 - Caroline Hall (Gbr) 71-71-75; 218 - Yuka Nanba (Jpn) 73-75-70, Tai Yu Chuan (Tpe) 76-72-70, Wendy Dicks (Gbr) 74-71-73, Nam Jung-sok (Kor) 69-75-74, Smriti Mehra (Ind) 72-72-74, Michelle Fuller (USA) 70-72-76; 219 - Stephanie D'Alongeville (fra) 75-77-67, Kozue Azuma (Jpn) 76-72-71, Aideen Rogers (Ire) 71-71-77; 220 - Hong Hee-sun (Kor) 75-76-69, Mary-Grace Estuesta (Phi) 73-75-74