Maan extends lead to 7 shots at Tering Bay Open

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