Lindskog retains Olympic Open title

JAKARTA (JP): Swedish golfer Stephen Atako Lindskog came back from behind to retain the title at the Rp 350 million (US$36,000) 2001 Olympic Open at the Taman Dayu Golf Club in Pandaan, East Java on Friday.

Lindskog, who lives in Jakarta, finished with a three-under- par 69 for an aggregate eight-under-par 280 to beat overnight leader Greg Hanrahan of the U.S. by four strokes. The Swede took the winner's Rp 67 million prize money.

It was Lindskog's second Olympic Open win after triumphing in the inaugural event in 1999. He lost to Wang Ter Chiang of Chinese Taipei last year.

Bangkok-based Hanrahan, who had led the pack since the first round, had to be content with second place on a four-under-par 284 after firing an even par 72 on Friday.

Going out with a three-under-par 33, Lindskog produced four birdies at the first, fifth, sixth and seventh holes with a bogey at the ninth hole.

On the way back to the clubhouse, however, he managed only an even par 36 after two birdies at the 10th and 11th holes and two bogeys at the 16th and 17th holes.

"I was just trying to do my best on the first nine. It really helped me a lot on the back nine," he said.

Meanwhile, Hanrahan attributed Lindskog's victory to his constant playing.

"Stephen outplayed me from the fifth hole and maintained the good work. He really played well today," the man from Connecticut said.

Hanrahan carded a two-over-par 38 on the first nine, bogeying the fourth and sixth holes. He had the chance to surge back with two birdies at the 10th and 14th holes, but wasted the chance with two bogeys at the 15th and 17th holes.

Finishing third among the professional golfers was Indonesian Maan Nasim who made a one-under-par 73 to finish 12 strokes behind Lindskog at 292.

Indra Hermawan took the amateur title, carding an even par 74 on Friday for an aggregate even par 288.

Indra, who is being groomed for the Kuala Lumpur 2001 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, finished third overall ahead of Maan.

Suprapto came second among the amateurs with 297 after collecting a five-over-par 77 on Friday. He made a two-way tie at the fifth overall with professional golfer Bachtiar Banca. (nvn)