Kasiyadi extends lead at PGA tourney
JAKARTA (JP): Overnight sole leader, Indonesia's Kasiyadi, kept his cool to extend the lead by five strokes for an eight- under par-208 after the third round of the Tugu Pratama PGA championship at Bumi Serpong Damai near here yesterday.
The Surabaya-based golfer toured the round with nine consecutive pars and bogeying on the tenth before birdieing the 13th and the last three holes for a three-under par-69.
"If I can maintain my game, hopefully I will become the champion," elated 30-year-old Kasiyadi said.
Tied for second place at 213 were America's Don Klenk and Jhamnian Chitprasong of Thailand. Klenk carded two-under par 70 yesterday as the Thai had a 71.
Singapore's, Mardan Mamat and M Murugiah shared the third spot, each with a 214.
Nine shots back was last year's winner, Australia's Wayne Grady, placed tenth despite finishing three-under 69 yesterday. He carded a poor 75 on the opening round on Wednesday and collected a 73 on Thursday.
New course
Meanwhile a new par-73 layout, which will be the first in the country, will be available when the Cikarang Golf and Country Club is completed in two years time.
Designed by former world number one Nick Faldo of England, it will be the only course with a par-73.
"There is no difference in those which have a par-72 or 70 or even 69," Faldo told newsmen on Thursday after making a tour of the site where the course is located, in the Jababeka industrial estate, Cikarang, West Java.
After making the tour, Faldo was the guest of honor at a banquet where he auctioned off several of his clubs to members and prospective members of the Karawang Golf and Country Club.
Marketing manager of the PT Padang Golf Cikarang, Eddy Haryono said the "unique" 18-hole layout will have five par-5 holes, nine par-4 holes and four par-3 holes.
Selected scorers
208 - Kasiyadi (Ina) 70 69 69 213 - Don Klenk (USA) 73 70 70
Jhamnian Chitprasong (Tha) 67 75 71 214 - Mardan Mamat (Sin) 73 70 71
M. Murugiah (Sin) 68 74 72 215 - Felix Casas (Phi) 73 74 68 216 - Ilyasak (Ina) 69 74 73
Maan Naasim (Ina) 71 71 74
Thaworn Wiratchan (Tha) 71 70 75 217 - Wayne Grady (Aus) 75 73 69