Maan swings into second place in Matoa Open
Maan swings into second place in Matoa Open
JAKARTA (JP): Defending champion Maan Nasim showed that
persistent play pays off by moving to second on the scoreboard as
other title contenders faltered in the third round of the Rp 100
million (US$13,300) Matoa Nasional Open-Andersen Consulting
Challenge Championship on Thursday.
Maan notched a two under par 70 for a two-way tie with fierce
rival Kasyadi. They trail overnight leader Stephen Atako-Lindskog
of Nigeria by one stroke going into the final round on Friday.
The erratic Nigerian returned to the sloppy form that saddled
him with a dreadful start on Tuesday, carding two bogeys for a
one over 73. He remains in front with a five under total of 211,
thanks to his course record of 63 on Wednesday.
He remains confident of his chances for the winner's Rp 25
million purse on Friday.
"In golf, what happened today cannot augur for what will
happen tomorrow. For me, it's more important to work and try
harder," Atako-Lindskog said of his topsy-turvy performance.
The Nigerian was not the only underachieving contender of the
day. Kasyadi birdied twice but bogeyed three times to notch up
another 73, while Sukamdi had to settle for a par 72.
"The course is great, the weather is fine. It's not really hot
today, but my putting was really terrible," complained Kasyadi,
who is bidding for a hat trick of titles after victories in
Surabaya and Yogyakarta recently.
Amateur Sarmilih stole the show when he carded a three under
69, the best score of the day, to jump to third on the scoreboard
with a three under total of 213, joining Sukamdi's elder brother,
Sumarno.
Sumarno escaped the error-ridden trend of play with three
birdies against one bogey for a two under 70.
"Knowing the course really boosted my performance today," said
Sumarno of the Matoa Nasional golf course in Ciganjur, South
Jakarta.
Friday's roster has Sumarno, Sukamdi and Burhan Bora in the
same group. Atako-Lindskog is grouped with Maan and Kasyadi.
(yan)
Leading scores (a-denotes amateur):
211 - Stephen Atako-Lindskog (75-63-73)
212 - Maan Nasim (73-69-70), Kasyadi (71-68-73)
213 - Sumarno (72-71-70), a-Sarmilih (76-68-69)
216 - Burhan Bora (71-74-71), Sukamdi (71-72-73)
217 - Sanusi (74-71-72)
218 - Gimin Suwiryo (71-72-75), a-Jerome Deladearte (73-72-73)
221 - Asep Caprie (74-75-72), Edi Sembiring (75-73-73), Ilyassak
(74-73-74), Buari (72-74-75), Abraham (74-72-75)
222 - Sudihartono (77-73-72), Cholid Anwar (75-75-72)