Kasiyadi return to form with win

Kasiyadi return to form with win

JAKARTA (JP): Kasiyadi, who has been plagued by inconsistency
throughout his career, put together a third consecutive solid
round to sew up the Jakarta Golf Circuit championship yesterday.

Kasiyadi shot an even par-72 to close at 2-over 290
(76,69,73,72) to tame the unforgiving Halim II layout.

Four strokes off the pace were Kasiyadi's elder brother,
Buari, and cagey veteran Sumarno.

It was a case of too little too late for the stocky Buari who
carded a sensational final round 68.

Continuous strong gusts of wind blowing across the airforce
layout in East Jakarta prevented the tournament's 23 pros from
breaking par, third-place finisher Maan Naasim said.

While Kasiyadi's fine showing evoked memories of his 1989
Indonesia Open title-winning run, it also highlighted the
unfulfilled promise of Indonesian golfers in international
competitions.

Inconsistent practicing and overly emotional putting and
driving have contributed to the undoing of the country's top pro
golfers, a top official said.

"Knowing they play poorly in big events, many of our golfers
ignore the results and choose rest over playing a practice
round," said Indonesian Pro Golfers Association (PGPI) chief
Widarsadipradja yesterday.

He cited Kasiyadi's failure to follow-up his 1989 Open triumph
as an example.

More recently, Ilyas Syak saw his hopes in the 1994 Indonesia
Open fade away as he chose to drive a shot rather than two-on and
wound up with a double bogey at a critical stage in the final
round.

In yesterday's amateur event, Sanusi of the Jakarta Golf Club
was the surprise winner at 294 (72,73,78,71), ahead of Medan-
based favorite Sukamdi.

Sukamdi, who has represented the country in numerous
international events, carded a 1-under 71 yesterday for a 295
(76,74,74,71). Burhan took third at 298 (74,75,72,77). (rsl).