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