RI's Maan plays in BMW Open

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's leading golfer Maan Naasim was the second Asian player to tee off in the BMW International Open in a bid to challenge world ranked players including Scotland's Colin Montgomerie, world golf phenomena Tiger Woods and home favorite Bernhard Langer.

The final Ryder Cup qualifying tournament for European golfers began yesterday at Golfclub Muenchen Nord-Eichenried, Munich. It will end Sunday. The other Asian golfer is Japanese Katsuyoshi Tomori.

Frenchman Marc Farry is defending his BMW International title. U.S. open champion Ernie Els is also playing in a strong field which includes Spaniards Jose Maria Olazabal and Seve Ballesteros.

Olazabal holds the last of the 10 automatic qualifying places ahead of the final European Tour event here in which players can earn points that guarantee them a Cup spot.

Statistically, any player down to 24th position on the points table can win selection for next month's match against the United States at Valderrama, Spain, by collecting the 120,000 pound (US$193,000) first prize.

Maan was able to represent Indonesia thanks to the sponsorship PT Tjahaja Sakti, the sole BMW distributor in Indonesia, an Indonesia Golf Association official said from Munich, Germany yesterday. (rsl)