Retno wins Srikandi Cup in playoff

The Jakarta Post Jakarta

Taking the sole lead from the first two days Retno Mustari, was forced to win the prestigious Srikandi Cup in playoff against Ani Iman, in the 25th Indonesia Ladies Amateur Open Golf Championships in Palembang, South Sumatra on Saturday.

Retno playing for Jakarta, ended the final round on Saturday with a poor 7-over 79 for a three-day total of 266 (68 79 79). Ani carded an identical aggregate score of 266 (75 74 77). But Ani managed to finish the round two shots better than Retno in the final day.

She was one shot ahead of Retno when reaching the 17th hole but a miserable three putts gave her a bogey while Retno made it with a par.

A relatively huge field of local golf enthusiasts watched the duel in the playoff, a rare feat for them, when finally in the 18th hole Retno birdied the putt. Ani had to be content with second place when she closed it with an even par.

Retno was practically almost gave up in the playoff when her drive landed in the rough and stopped dead under a big tree. A brave decision must be taken when she dared to venture with shot using a sandwedge. Her highball hit the green perfectly and putt it for a birdie.

"I must take the crucial decision for such situation. Win it or lose it," Retno said. "And thanks God I made it."

Saturday win in Palembang was the fourth title she won. Retno first won the Srikandi Cup in 1993 at the Jagorawi Golf and Country Club near Bogor and retained the title in the following year contested at the Bumi Serpong Damai in Banten. In 1999 Retno regained the title when the championships were held in Surabaya to make it her third title.

Vandana Argal of India was third with a total score of 229 (74 79 76) her teammate Shruty Kanna was fourth with a 230 (79 75 76).