Retno wins Srikandi Cup in playoff

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).