Philippines edges closer to leader
TANGERANG, West Java (JP): Teams from Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand will be engaged in a fierce battle for the title when they tee-off today in the final round of the Putra Cup golf championship.
Indonesia retains the lead by just three strokes at 637 (207,209,221).
After holding a commanding lead right from the start, Indonesia suffered a major blow yesterday when Denny Supriadi was disqualified for a rules violation.
Denny had hooked his drive into the drink at the 170-meter par-3 11th.
"Instead of returning to the tee Denny dropped the ball and played his second shot. For the error I directly disqualified him and thus he is not allowed to compete in the individual event," explained tournament director Rudy Lisapaly.
However, he added, Denny may continue to play as a member of the Indonesian team.
Veteran captain Sukamdi, who stole the show in Tuesday's opening round by carding a 6-under 66, seemed to lose his composure over the last two rounds.
After shooting a par 72 on Wednesday the Medan-based player who celebrated the birth of a baby boy Tuesday night, concluded yesterday's round with another 72.
"I don't know why. Everything seemed to go wrong," said a disgusted Sukamdi, the two-time individual champion of the prestigious Cup.
The Philippines justified its billing as one of Asia's strong golfing nations by reclaiming second place at 640 (212,213,215).
Filipino ace Antonio Lascuna stole a bit of the thunder yesterday when he shot a fine 68 and jumped to the top in the individual race with a three-day total of 208 (70,70,68).
Two strokes behind was Sukamdi (66,72,72). Thailand's best bet Preecha Senaprom was third at 212 (71,72,69).
Thailand is still in the hunt for team honors in third at 641 (212,218,211).
Sirikit Cup
In the women's Sirikit Cup, favorite Australia surged with a 135 for a two-day total of 284 (149,135).
Karrie Webb was the toast of the Australian team when she carded a fine 5-under 67 and Anne-Marie Knight chipped in with a 68.
South Korea fell into second at 285 (148,146).
Nine strokes further back was New Zealand at 294 (148,146) followed by the Philippines at 302 (149,153).
Minnow Indonesia which is hoping to finish in the top five shared the fifth spot with India and Japan at 303.
This year marks the first time in the 34-year history of the Putra Cup and the 16-year-old Sirikit Cup that the two coveted trophies in the Asia-Pacific region were being contested in one country and played over the same layout at Bumi Serpong Damai.
The 6,170-meter par-72 golf link located some 35 kilometers west of Jakarta was designed by American legend Jack Nicklaus (rsl). Results Putra Cup
1 637 - Indonesia 207 209 221 2 640 - Philippines 215 212 213 3 641 - Thailand 212 218 211 4 661 - Hong Kong 215 225 221 5 662 - Singapore 220 225 217 6 664 - Malaysia 219 219 226 7 688 - PNG 230 230 228 8 714 - Brunei 243 236 235 9 717 - Myanmar 230 235 252
Individual (selected) 1 208 - Antonio Lascuna (Phi) 70 70 68 2 210 - Sukamdi (Ina) 66 72 72 3 212 - Preecha Senaprom (Tha) 71 72 69 4 214 - Dana Mahmud (Ina) 74 67 75
Mardan Mamat (Sin) 74 69 71 6 215 - David Tonroe (HK) 70 74 71
Nawin Suwakanas (Tha) 69 74 72 7 218 - Bahtiar (Ina) 69 75 74
Reynaldo Pagunsan (Phi) 76 70 72 Sirikit Cup
1 284 - Australia 149 135 2 285 - South Korea 140 145 3 294 - New Zealand 148 146 4 302 - Philippines 149 153 5 303 - Indonesia 150 153
India 151 152
Japan 154 149 8 308 - Thailand 158 150 9 315 - Malaysia 156 159 10 316 - Sri Lanka 152 164