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