RI ahead with a 4-stroke lead in golf
RI ahead with a 4-stroke lead in golf
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has never won a SEA Games golf title
since the sport was introduced in 1987, but the nation's most
seasoned golfer, Sukamdi, pushed yesterday the team to an early
lead of four strokes after carding a 212 (68 71 73).
Veteran player Sukamdi, who has represented Indonesia five
times in the SEA Games, surged ahead after playing a bogey-free
round of 34 34 for a 68. His 4-under 68 empowered him to take the
number one spot in the individual event.
Sukamdi's teammate, Dana Mahmud, who earned a good reputation
in the men's team events at the Asian Games and Putra Cup, eagled
the 503-meter par-5 on the 18th hole after his second shot landed
perfectly, six meters from the cup, and he put it in for an
eagle.
He went out with a 38 and went home with a 33 for 71 that
helped Indonesia reach the top spot after Jemin Saputra carded a
73 (37 36) for an aggregate score of 212.
Defending champion Thailand was placed third behind Malaysia
and two shots behind Malaysia's score of 216.
"I think carding a 212 on the first day is a good start for
the team," a beaming David Breen, the team's Australian coach,
told The Jakarta Post.
With three more days of play remaining, Breen said: "If they
can keep their performance for the rest of the competition, we
have a better chance of winning the event".
Sukamdi said that a strong wind, which changed directions, had
troubled his playing style and also confused his counterparts
such as Eng Heo Aw from Singapore.
He went out with 34 coming from two birdie putts in the front
nine and with another 34 in the back nine, also coming from two
birdies,
"I hope we can maintain our playing performance for the next
three days," Sukamdi said. "This would help us win gold for the
first time after 10 years of trying."
Long-hitting Sukamdi won last month's Singapore Amateur Open
and he also won the SEA Games' individual event in 1991 when the
Philippines hosted the Games.
The men's team event which also decides the winner of the
individual competition has participants from seven countries --
Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and
Thailand.
Myanmar, a golf powerhouse in Asia, had decided not to play
without providing a reason.
"It was indeed a pretty good start for the boys to make it a
212. Producing a total score of that number will help them play
more carefully during the next three day," Indonesia Golf
Association Secretary-General Taufic Aziz said.
Today a field of 15 lady golfers will begin their trophy hunt
when they compete in the women's event. The defending champion,
the Philippines, together with host players Indonesia have been
tipped to win the event which will be played over 54 holes.
Results
Team:
212 - Indonesia
216 - Malaysia
218 - Thailand
220 - Philippines
229 - Singapore
235 - Brunei Darussalam
264 - Laos
Individual:
68 - Sukamdi (Ina) 34 34
70 - Rahizam Ramli (Mal) 34 36
71 - Dana Mahmud (Ina) 38 33
71 - Thongchai Jaidee (35 36)
72 - Songphan Phuakprakhong (Tha) 38 34
73 - Nachimuthu Ramasamy (Mal) 38 35, Edgardo Cantada (Phi) 37
36, Denny Supriadi (Ina) 37 36, Jemin Saputra (Ina) 37 36,
Juan Miguel Rocha (Phi) 36 37