Lindskog extends lead at Bali Open by six strokes
By Robert Soelistyo
NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Sweden's Stephen Atako Lindskog took the lead at the Bali Open Golf Championship by six strokes yesterday with an 8-under par-208.
The four-day event, which began Tuesday, is being held at the plush 6,849-yard Bali Golf and Country Club designed by Rodney Wright and Robin Nelson, two reputed golf course specialists of Nelson & Wright, Hawaii.
President Soeharto, Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam inaugurated the course in March, 1991.
It is situated amid acres of landscaped grounds on the southern tip of the deluxe resort area of Nusa Dua with a spectacular vista of the Indian Ocean.
Veteran golfer Ilsyasak, from the Jakarta Golf Club, was second after a 72 (38 34) yesterday for a score of 214 (69 73 72) after three days.
Indonesian golfer Kasiyadi took the lead after the second round Wednesday with a 68, the day's best score. But he was forced to be relegated to third yesterday after a poor 75 (39 36). But despite a poor performance, Kasiyadi hit three bogeys on the front nine to finish the round with an even par 36 from one birdie and one bogey.
"Everything went wrong with my putting. I just don't know why," Kasiyadi told The Jakarta Post.
Winner of the Bukit Darmo Golf Open in Surabaya last March, Kasiyadi shocked the country when he became the first Indonesian to win the 1989 Indonesia Open.
Playing with ease, Lindskog began yesterday's round with two consecutive pars before birdieing the third and other pars in the following holes for a 1-under 35 on the front half. He continued to produce 1-under par-35 yesterday with a birdie shot on the 18th.
Maan Naasim, disappointed with a broken 6 iron, yesterday carded a 3-over par-75 (39 36) for a three-day total of 217 (71 71 75).
"I'm not looking for an excuse for my poor showing, but I'm unhappy with the accident. I don't know who to complain to," Maan said.
In the amateur event, Putu Dipta from Bali Handara Kosaido Club took the lead with 229 (80 76 73). Finishing second was host golfer I Ketut Budiada with 232 (81 73 78) followed by Soedjiono from the Denpasar Golf Club with 236 (75 83 77) for third place.
Returns
Lindskog, 29, choose to pursue golf under the early influence of his family. His father Erik Lindskog, who lives in Jakarta, said: "I never suggested he play golf, but fully supported him when he decided to play this gentleman's sport."
Erik resigned from his position at a private company in Jakarta in 1995 before returning to Sweden, but after only a few months he was back.
"After some five years in Indonesia we found it too cold to stay in Sweden, so we decided to return to Indonesia, maybe for the rest of our lives," Lindskog said.
Third day selected results (Indonesian unless stated): 208 - Stephen Lindskog (Swe) 69 69 70 214 - Ilyasaak (JGC) 69 73 72 216 - Kasiyadi (YGC) 73 68 75 217 - Maan Naasim (SWG) 71 71 75 220 - Burhan Bora (MGC) 72 73 75 221 - Sumarno (PGPI) 71 76 74 223 - Bahtiar Sanja (MGC) 77 73 73 225 - Asep Caprie (BSD) 73 78 74, Buari (YGC) 73 78 74 226 - Mario Siodina (Phi) 74 76 79
Amateur: 229 - Putu Dipta (BHK) 80 76 73 232 - I Ketut Budiada (BGC) 81 73 78 236 - Soedjiono (DGC) 76 83 77