Maan and Danny share lead in JJGF Open

BOGOR (JP): Defending champion Maan Nasim of Indonesia and Malaysian Danny Chia shared the lead on the first day of the JJGF Open Golf Championships 2000 - Epson Cup with three-under-par 69 on Tuesday.

Maan produced two birdies in the first nine at holes five and six but spoiled his chances by hitting three bogeys at holes two, seven and eight.

Luckily he managed to card four more birdies in the back nine at holes 11, 12, 15 and 16 to score three-under par 69.

Chia was more consistent with his play when he finished the first out with one under par thanks to his two birdies at holes four and seven after a bogey on hole five.

The Malaysian headed back to the clubhouse with two more birdies at holes 14 and 15 for a total score of three-under-par 69.

Following behind was Indonesian well-known former amateur golfer Sukamdi, who scored two-under-par 70 with three birdies and a bogey. It is his first professional match this year.

The four-day tournament is being held at the Jagorawi Golf Country Club's old course of 18 holes par 72. The old course is known for its narrow fairways and sloping contour.

Providing the biggest prize so far for a local golf tournament of Rp 270 million (US$ 31,700), 63 pros and 25 amateurs are taking part in the tournament.

This year's Epson Cup is the second cup and fourth organized and sponsored by JJGF since its establishment in 1998. The first Epson Cup was organized last October.

The committee has also promised Rp 10 million to any golfer who manages to hit a hole-in-one during the preliminary rounds. In the final rounds, the prize is a brand new Honda City type Z car.

From the preliminary rounds on Thursday and Friday, only 20 pro golfers and ties can go to the final rounds on Saturday and Sunday. Meanwhile from the amateur golfers, only the 10 best golfers and ties will go to the finals.

In the amateur camp, golfers from Jagorawi's Blue League dominated the day. Ruswin Nazsir led the pack with one-over-par 73 followed by Sofyan FAG carding five-over-par 77. Andi Djajanegara trailed with a score of seven-over-par 79.

Sadly enough, golfers being trained at the Indonesian national golf training center failed to perform their best on the opening day.

Amin Zarems and Iin Setiawan scored eight-over-par 80, securing fourth position among amateur golfers. Meanwhile, Suprapto only scored nine-over-par 81 to be ninth and Indra Hermawan only scored 11-over-par 83 to be at the 13th position. (nvn)

Results (Indonesians unless stated, a-denotes amateur): 69 - Maan Nasim, Danny Chia (Mal) 70 - Sukamdi 72 - Gimin Suwiryo, M. Rashid Ismail (Mal), P. Gunasagaran (Mal),

Tsuneyuki Naka (Jpn) 73 - Atsuchi Takamatsu (Jpn), Stephen Atako-Lindskog (Swe),

Soewarno K., a-Ruswin Nazsir 74 - Enin Gabus, Shaifubahri Muda (Mal), Ilyassak, Yasuo Sone

(Jpn), Buari, Toru Kinoshita (Jpn), Sumarno, Patrick Young 75 - Putu Dipta, Mardan Mamat, Gemmy Subagyo 76 - Agusnam, Budiono, Kasiyadi, Komang Sujana, Denny Supriadi