Kasiyadi takes over PGA lead by two

JAKARTA (JP): Kasiyadi, who rewrote golf history in the country by becoming the first local golfer to ever win the Indonesia Open Golf Championship on March 1989, took over the lead at the 1994 PGA Tugu Pratama by two strokes after the halfway mark of the event yesterday.

The Surabaya-based Kasiyadi who was placed fourth on the opening day on Wednesday with a two-under par-70, charged out with five commendable birdies against two bogeys for a three- under par-69 making a five-under par-139 two-day total.

Thailand's leading player Jhamnian Chitprasong, who carded a 67 and was alone on top of the leaders board on Wednesday, was relegated to join third place after a miserable three-over 75 yesterday for a 142. He shared the spot with Indonesian top player Maan Naasim (71 71), and Singaporean veteran M. Murugiah (68 74).

Alone at second place at the US$100,000 event held at the Bumi Serpong Damai layout, was Thailand veteran Thaworn Wiratchan who closed yesterday's trip with a 70 for two-day aggregate of 141.

Ilyasak, who placed himself among the best 14 in the just concluded Alfred Dunhill Masters in Bali which saw world former number one Nick Faldo disqualified at the third round, was packed in the sixth place at 143 (69 74).

Don Klank of the United States and Singapore's prodigy Mardan Mamat were two other golfers tied at 143.

Strong gusty wind and unsteady putting had cost the overnight leader Chitprasong with a poor closing round yesterday.

However, it was stark contrast for Indonesian seasoned player Sumarno as "the strong wind helped me carding a better score."

Sumarno closed the round by firing six birdies in the third, fourth, sixth, 12th, 13th and 17th against two deficit strokes in the second par-4 and the 15th par-4.

Last year's champ Wayne Grady of Australia tied at 148 (75 73) with fellow countryman Tony Maloney and Stephen A. Lidskoq of Sweden(rsl).

Selected results

139 - Kasiyadi (Ina) 70 69 141 - Thaworn Wiratchan (Tha) 71 70 142 - Maan Naasim (Ina) 71 71

M Murugiah (Sin) 68 74

Jhamnian Chitprasong (Tha) 67 75 143 - Ilyasak (Ina) 69 74

Don Klenk (USA) 73 70

Mardan Mamat (Sin) 73 70 146 - Mohd Ali Kadir (Mal) 74 72 147 - Felix Casas (Phi) 73 74 148 - Wayne Grady (Aus) 75 73

Tony Maloney (Aus) 75 73

Stephen A. Lidskoq (Swe) 75 73