Maan takes 4-shot lead into final day

Maan takes 4-shot lead into final day

JAKARTA (JP): Leading Indonesian golfer Maan Naasim fired a
relatively faultless 2-under-par 70 yesterday to maintain his
four-stroke lead going into the final day of the Matoa Open at
the Matoa Nasional course in Ciganjur, South Jakarta, yesterday.

The 37-year-old from Sawangan's second consecutive 70 came
from three birdies, on the 14th, 16th and 18th and a single bogey
on the 7th for a three-day total of 9-under-par 207 (67 70 70).

Ilyasaak, from Jakarta Golf Club, is the closest to Maan. He
also carded a 70 (37 33) and his 211 (71 70 70) is three strokes
ahead of favorite Kasiadi from Surabaya's Yani Golf Club.

Kasiadi, who complained about his poor putting, finished
yesterday with a 71 (35 36) for a three-day total of 214 (71 72
71).

Maan will be one of four top Asian golfers lining up alongside
defending champion Ernie Els of South Africa, England's Nick
Faldo, Sweden's Jesper Parnevik and Ian Woosnam of Wales in the
annual US$350,000 Johnnie Walker Super Tour from Dec. 9 to Dec.
14. The Tour will be played over four countries; Indonesia,
Thailand, the Philippines and Taiwan.

The other Asian golfers are Thailand's Boonchu Ruangkit, Felix
Casas of the Philippines and Taiwan's top amateur Hong Chia-yuh.

"In the run-up to such a big event, meeting the world-rated
golfers, I am now improving my physical condition," Maan said.

Maan, who usually fares well when playing against Asian
golfers, for some unknown reason, wilts when up against the best
of the rest of the world.

Young amateur hope Denny Supriadi, who strove to steal some of
the thunder on Wednesday when he scored a 67, could not keep up
his good form yesterday as he finished the round with a poor 75
(37 38), including four birdies and a bogey, for a three-day
total of 217 (75 67 75).

Denny's 19th SEA Games teammate Jermin Saputra, was three
strokes further back on 220 (76 72 72). Denny played a crucial
role when he, Jermin, Sukamdi and Dana Mahmud won the country's
first SEA Games men's golf team gold two weeks ago on the same
golf course.

Selected results (Am denotes amateur):
207 - Maan Naasim 67 70 70
211 - Ilyasaak 71 70 70
214 - Kasiadi 71 72 71
216 - Junaidi Alex 74 67 75
217 - Stephen A-Lindskog 75 70 72, Denny Supriadi (Am) 75 67 75
218 - Sudhihartono 72 73 73, Burhan Bora 71 74 73
219 - Sanusi 72 76 71
220 - Jermin Saputra (Am) 76 72 72
221 - Gimin Suwiryo 74 76 71