Swede leads after Bukit Darmo 1st round

Swede leads after Bukit Darmo 1st round

SURABAYA (JP): Steven Atako-Lindskog of Sweden took the lead
by one stroke after the opening round of the Bukit Darmo Golf
championships yesterday with a 4-under-par 68 (31,37).

The championships was officially opened by East Java Deputy
Governor Adbul Hamid and witnessed by Hendro Sumampow, owner of
the Bukit Darmo real estate company which established the golf
course.

The Nigerian-born Swede, who has been living in Jakarta for
four years and used to play at the Pondok Indah Golf and Country
Club, fired four consecutive birdies starting on the 2nd after
bogeying the 1st. He continued with birdies on the 8th and 9th
for a brilliant 5-under-par 31 for the front nine.

However, approaching the back nine he seemed to have lost his
patience and made three bogeys in a row on the 12th, 13th and
14th.

"I made a wrong approach and I was punished with a bogey which
further frustrated me on the following holes. I was really out of
control. I promise to do better in the next rounds," the 28-year-
old Swede told The Jakarta Post after yesterday's round.

One shot behind the leader was Indonesia's leading golfer from
Sawangan, West Java, Maan Naasim, who carded a 33,36 for a 69.

Home favorite and defending champion Kasiyadi, from the Yani
golf club, was joined by three other golfers including his
clubmate Buari for third place on 2-under-par 70. The other two
joining Kasiyadi were Burhan Bora (JGC) and Johan Kelana (BDG).

Kasiyadi, who had a fanatic fan -- his wife -- when winning
the championship last year, played alone yesterday.

"My wife has to stay at home to take care of our two-month-old
youngest son. But for sure I promise to play better tomorrow and
in the following days," Kasiyadi said.

Kasiyadi, 37, made golf history in 1989 when he became the
first ever local to win the Indonesian Open.

Undaunted by playing against big names from Europe, USA and
Australia he won the title after carding a 11-under par-273 at
the Rawamangun Golf Course.

"Yes it was a very good day to remember. Unfortunately I could
not maintain the good performance of eight years ago," Kasiyadi
said yesterday.

He even complained about missing a good chance to play in the
Omega Asia PGA Tour which offers a minimum cash prize of
US$150,000, blaming difficulty in getting a sponsor.

Indonesia, according to Kasiyadi, is given two slots for the
Omega Tour. He feels one should be for him and another for Maan
Naasim. "But since there is no sponsor at this time we have to
skip it. Hopefully we can find a financial sponsor soon so we can
take part in five or 10 legs of the Tour," said Kasiyadi.

After today's second round the field of 120 golfers who are
vying for the Rp 60 million (US$25,000) prize money, will be
reduced to 20 pros and 20 amateurs. The 20 pros are eligible to
try to win the top prize of Rp 13.5 million. The second prize is
Rp 6.8 million and third is Rp 4 million.

The championships will end Saturday. (rsl)

Selected results:
68 - Steven Akito-Lindskog (Swe) 3 37
69 - Maan Naasim (Ina) 33 36
70 - Burhan Bora (Ina) 35 35 Buari (Ina) 34 36 Jafar Kelana 34
36 Kasiyadi (Ina) 33 37
71 - Endang Supriyatna (Ina) 37 34 Ilyasaak (Ina) 35 36 Bachtiar
Sanja 33 38
72 - Patrick D. Young (Ina) 38 34
73 - Jayadi (Ina) 38 35 Gemmy Subagio (Ina) 38 35 Budiono (Ina)
36 37 Sudihartono (Ina) 35 38