Maan maintains lead, Ilyassak closes in
TANGERANG, West Java (JP): Fighting off a stubborn cold, Maan Nasim came closer on Thursday to winning the Rp 27 million top prize at the Andersen Consulting Challenge golf tournament at the Bumi Serpong Damai course.
Belting triple birdies at holes four, five, and six when he went out, and another at hole 14 on his way back to the club house, Maan carded four-under par 68 to perch firmly at the top with a total 11-under par 205. He leads closest rival Ilyassak by four strokes going into the final round on Friday.
"I feel better today after recovering from my cold, although I failed to beat my best score on Wednesday," he said.
He almost hit an eagle at hole eight par five when his first putt drove the ball right to the hole, only to stop right on its edge.
Ilyassak enjoyed his finest day with a record six-under par 66 for a total seven-under par 209.
"It's my best day not only because I had a six-under, but I relished the nice course and weather today," he said.
The day indeed belonged to Ilyassak who made an eagle, the first in the tournament, at hole five par four when he chipped the ball directly into the hole.
"It was a lucky one because it was from the rough," he said.
Ilyassak also had two birdies at holes three and eight with two bogeys at holes four and nine. He bagged another four birdies at holes 10, 13, 15 and 18 to card the day's best score.
Dana Mahmud, who was second overnight, plummeted down to eighth place which he shared with Gimin Soewiryo, after both golfers collected a total four-over par 220.
Meanwhile, Junaedi headed the amateur camp going into the final day with three-over-par 75 for a total of nine-over par 225.
A stroke behind was Iin Setiawan, who was the only amateur to even the par on Thursday. (nvn)
Leading scores (Indonesian unless stated): 205 - Maan Nasim 70-67-68 209 - Ilyassak 73-70-66 212 - Stephen Atako-Lindskog (Swe) 71-72-69 213 - Rashid Ismail (Mal) 70-74-69 215 - Kasiyadi 69-76-70 216 - Sanusi 74-69-73 218 - Jamel Ondo 71-74-73 220 - Gimin Suwiryo 72-74-74, Dana Mahmud 69-74-77 221 - Sukamdi 76-72-73, Sumarno 72-76-73