Mann grabs golf title at BSD with 16-under-par

TANGERANG, West Java (JP): Leading the pack over the past three rounds, experienced golfer Maan Nasim went on to win the Rp 100 million Andersen Consulting tournament here on Friday.

Maan, who is now Rp 27 million richer, finished 16-under par 272 in total, the tournament's new record, eight strokes ahead of closest rival Stephen Atako-Lindskog of Sweden.

Apparently well accustomed to Bumi Serpong Damai Golf Course lay-out, Maan sealed the four-day event with the tournament's best score of five-under par 67, a repeat of his feat on Wednesday, thanks to half a dozen birdies he carded on the 18- hole course.

One of the country's best golfers, Maan birdied at holes four, six, eight, 13, 16, and 18. He dropped to his only bogey at hole 14 par three.

"I'm very satisfied with my result. It shows that I have made my strokes perfect," he said after the match.

"Golfers in my flight were strong hitters, so I had to use a special strategy to keep my pace and distance," added Maan, referring to Atako-Lindskog and Ilyassak.

Lindskog, scoring four-under-par 68, praised Maan for his performance saying the Indonesian was a golfer with sportsmanship and maturity.

He collected three birdies at holes four, six, and eight in the first nine with a bogey at hole nine. Returning to the club house, he produced another three birdies at holes 13, 15, 16 and another bogey at hole 10.

The Swede, a regular participant in the Indonesian Golf Association Tour, received Rp 8 million in prize money.

Firing a disappointing one-over-par 73, Ilyassak totaled six- under-par 282 to finish third.

In the amateur camp, Iin Setiawan led the charge of the country's golfing talents being groomed at the national training center. He made it one-under par 71 on Friday for a total 297 and the division's title.

His stablemate, Indra Hermawan, finished second after hitting two-under-par 70, the best score among amateurs in the tournament.

The tournament's pace setter Junaedi flopped in the final round, scoring six-over-par 78 for a total 303 and the third place.

Andersen Consulting partner, Bhra Eka Gunapriya told reporters that the consultancy firm would double the prize money next year in a bid to attract more golfers, especially from the neighboring countries.

"With more regional golfers playing, we can improve the tournament's competitive standards as well as the quality of our golfers," he said. (nvn)

Selected results (Indonesian unless stated): 272 - Maan Nasim 70-67-68-67 280 - Stephen Atako-Lindskog (Swe) 71-72-69-68 282 - Ilyassak 73-70-66-73 285 - Rashid Ismail (Mal) 70-74-69-72 286 - Sanusi 74-69-73-70 291 - Kasyadi 69-76-70-76 292 - Dana Mahmud 69-74-77-72 293 - Sukamdi 76-72-73-72