Malaysian Ismail takes Epson Cup
Mustofid, The Jakarta Post, Bogor, West Java
Malaysian Rashid Ismail defied a call for the Nations Cup, which was held at the Selangor Royal Golf Club, to travel to Indonesia. It provided dividends as he won the Rp 370 million (US$38,900) Epson Cup at the Jagorawi Golf & Country Club here on Sunday.
At the Old Course of Jagorawi, Ismail suffered an early scare before regaining composure to cruise to victory.
Going into the final game with a two-stroke lead over local hopeful Maan Nasim, Ismail faltered at the start with a bogey on the first and second holes.
However, the 28-year-old was back in form in the next stages to return to the clubhouse with an even par for a total of three- under-par 285. Maan also ended the day with an even par for a one-under-par 287 to settle for second place.
Stephen Atako-Lindskog fired the day's best score with a four- under-par 68 but the Jakarta-based Swede had to be content with the third position with an overall three-over 291.
"I was a bit shaky because I felt the pressure from becoming the winner," Ismail told reporters after he slotted the scorecard into the box.
"But then I tried to tone down my emotion. (I said to myself) Loosen up! Don't be too preoccupied with having to win. Play the game as usual. Wait until the last hole," he said.
Ismail, who admitted he had never won a tournament on his own turf since turning pro in 1997, is currently ranked second behind Danny Chia, who led Malaysia to victory in Selangor.
"I had an argument over the playing site. I don't like the ground," Ismail told The Jakarta Post after the official presentation of prizes.
The Nations Cup, which ended on Sunday, saw Norway, Mexico, the Philippines, Holland and Malaysia qualify for the World Cup in Japan in November where they will compete against the likes of Tiger Wood.
With his countrymen succeeding in their attempt, Ismail found the victory here a consolation.
Following his early cracks, Ismail was caught up by Maan with the score level at one-under until the former made amends with birdies in the last two holes of the front nine to regain his two-stroke lead.
Both players simply looked content with a relatively safe game in the back nine, during which Ismail demonstrated more consistent play than Maan with all pars.
Maan seemed to be riding a rollercoaster, flirting with bogeys and birdies between holes 11 and 12 and between 14 and 15.
Maan said he was disappointed that he finished only second. But what he rued most was his third round's poor run on Saturday when he played four over par.
"Today was not too bad for me. I fancied playing a safe game. The third day was so hot my game was extremely affected," he said.
Despite finishing a distant third, Atakao-Lindskog deserved to celebrate his own achievement after he had scored a 68, making him the only player to end the day with an under-par score.
It was also his only under-par score, following his poor performance in the previous rounds.
"I was still looking for a rhythm. It is merely a flash of distinction between playing well and bad. Today, I could not only find the rhythm but smooth anticipation throughout the game," said Atako-Lindskog, who has stayed in Indonesia for six years.