Maan defies cold to take over lead

TANGERANG, West Java (JP): A cold did not stop Maan Nasim from playing his best game on Wednesday, shooting him to the top of the standings at the Andersen Consulting Challenge golf tournament at the Bumi Serpong Damai golf course here.

One of the country's most experienced golfers fired a blistering five-under-par 67, thanks in part to four birdies at holes four, six, seven and nine at the first nine. On the back nine, he sank another birdie at hole 18.

Maan admitted afterward that the cold had almost disrupted his concentration during the play.

"Well, it's golf. I didn't feel it until it was over. I just had a kerokan (traditional balm massage) to relieve the cold and then took a brief nap," he said.

"Hopefully, tomorrow I'll maintain the lead and regain my top condition. I'm aiming to score another five-under."

Maan took the sole lead on seven-under-par 137 after overnight leader Dana Mahmud hit two-over-par 74 to drop to second place. Dana then blamed the notorious wind for his erratic play.

"I can only perform my best game in stable wind conditions," said Dana.

The other first round leader, Kasiyadi, said he lost his touch on the green on Wednesday after firing a four-over-par 76. He admitted his poor putting had cost him the lead.

"I don't know what happened to me. I had to spent three of four strokes only for a half-meter putt," he said.

Meanwhile, in the amateur camp, Junaedi kept his lead intact with an overall one-under par. He collected 150 of the total score.

Closely trailing in second place was Iin Setiawan who carded four-over par for a total score of 154.

From the first two rounds, 25 professional and 12 amateur golfers made their way from the cut-off to play the final rounds on Thursday and Friday. (nvn)

Leading scores (Indonesian, unless stated): 137 - Maan Nasim 70-67 143 - Sanusi 74-69, Ilyassak 73-70, Stephen Atako-Lindskog (Swe)

71-72, Dana Mahmud 69-74 144 - Rashid I 70-74 145 - Bachtiar Sanja 74-71, Jamel Ondo 71-74, Kasiyadi 69-76 146 - Gimin Soewiryo 72-74 148 - Sukamdi 76-72, Sumarno 72-76, Jamal Noor 71-77 151 - Sudihartono 75-76 152 - Sarmili 80-72, Ade Sebul 79-73, Sarmilih S 77-75,

Abrahamsyah 75-77, Burhan Bora 75-77