Maan extends lead to 7 shots at Tering Bay Open

BATAM ISLAND, Riau (JP): Maan Naasim, boosted by his victory at the Matoa Open last week which ended his two-year title drought, extended his lead to seven shots at the US$50,000 Tering Bay Golf Championship here yesterday with a three-under-par 69.

Maan, 37, who is expected to challenge some of the world's top-rated players, including Ian Woosnam, Ernie Els and Collin Montgomerie, when he plays at the Johnnie Walker Super Tour next month at Emaralda Golf and Country near Jakarta, had only a single birdie, on the 9th, in the outward half of the round.

"Playing here one should not play aggressively as it will leave any golfer in trouble. So I just went out there steadily and tried to keep the ball in play," said Maan, who won the Matoa Open by nine strokes.

Maan managed to improve on the way home, shooting two birdies on the 11th and 12th before bogeying the final hole for a 34 and three-round score of 206.

"I hope by taking a seven-stroke lead it will help me win the title and for sure and take the winner's check," added Maan, who is playing under the banner of the southern Jakarta Sawangan Golf Club.

Kasiadi, who had been tipped by many golf pundits to win the title, is in second place on 213 with Burhan Bora from Makasar Golf Club.

Burhan, the surprise champion of the Prasidha East Java Open in Surabaya last September, also carded a 3-under 69 (34 35) yesterday. It included four birdies and a bogey.

Burhan caught Kasiadi by surprise when the former was seven shots behind the latter at the start of the final day in the East Java Open. Burhan came from nowhere to card a 66 while Kasiadi stumbled and lost to Burhan by just one shot. It gave Burhan his first major title after turning pro three years ago.

The 37-year-old Kasiadi from Yani Golf Club Surabaya, who is the richest local golfer after joining the Omega Asian Tour, found trouble on the 15th and 16th when his drives on the two holes landed in sand traps.

But, as if to prove that he is an experienced player, he managed to par the two holes. Hole 16 is particularly challenging. Driving the ball too hard will send it into the Bay of Tering while driving too short risks landing in one of the three sand traps surrounding the green.

"I think I was lucky to make them in even par," Kasiadi said.

Two seasoned Singaporeans, Chua Guan Soon and Madasamy Murugiah shared third place after each ended on 214. It was Soon who stole the show when he fired the day's best score of 67 (33 34).

Bonus

For making the best score of the day, Soon got a $500 bonus. The best scorers in the first and second rounds each received $250 bonuses.

Soon, who was joint 14th with five other players, including Indonesian Ilyasaak, after the second round, opened yesterday's round with three fine birdies in the first nine for a 33. He came home with three more birdies and a bogey for a 34.

Veteran golfer Murugiah had a 68 (34 34) after scoring 76 70 in the first two days and was joint sixth with eight other players including Indonesian Bahtiar Sanja.

"For Singapore golfers we find it cheaper to play a round of golf across the island. US$50,000 is a big enough sum to try hard for," Murugiah told The Jakarta Post.

In the amateur event, players being groomed by Indonesia Golf Association for major international events including the SEA Games, Asiad and Putra Cup, are still dominating the top positions with Denny Supriadi taking the lead with a 217 (76 68 73).

Two strokes behind in second place were Sukamdi (75 72 72) and Dana Mahmud (71 73 75). Jemin Saputra was fourth with 227 (70 78 79).

They were Indonesia's 19th SEA Games winning team, which gave their country its first SEA Games men's team golf gold after ten years of trying. (JP/rsl)

Selected results: 206 - Maan Naasim (Ina) 67 70 69 213 - Kasiadi (Ina) 73 69 71, Burhan Bora (Ina) 71 73 69 214 - Chua Guan Soon (Sin) 74 73 67, M. Murugiah (Sin) 76 70 68 216 - Poh Eng Wah (Sin) 74 73 69, Stephen A. Lindskog (Swe) 71 75 70 217 - Md Rashid Ismail (Mas) 74 74 69, Denny Supriadi (Ina am) 76 68 73 218 - Andre Morrow (Aus) 72 73 73 219 - Sukamdi (Ina am 75 72 72), Dana Mahmud (Ina am) 71 73 75, P. Gunasagaran (Mas) 70 72 77