Sweden's Lindskog takes early lead in Bali Open
Sweden's Lindskog takes early lead in Bali Open
By Robert Soelistyo
NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Nigerian-born Swede Stephen Atako
Lindskog and Jakarta's Ilyasaak shared the early lead in the Bali
Open Golf Championship by two strokes after each carded 3-under-
par 69s at the Bali Golf and Country Club yesterday.
The Rp 60 million (US$23,000) four-day event was organized by
the Udayana Military Command to commemorate its 40th anniversary.
Brigidaire General Syahrir W.S. opened the championship on
behalf of commander Major General Rivai.
"We organize this tournament as part of our efforts to help
develop golf in Bali in particular, and in Indonesia in general,
because we understand that through this sport we can promote
Indonesia and attract more tourists to visit," Rivai said.
The 31-year-old Ilyas from the Jakarta Golf Club opened his
round yesterday with two fine birdies and a bogey on the front
nine for a 1-under-par 35. The birdies came on the first and
ninth holes while the bogey was on the third.
Going to the club house Ilyas fired two birdies in a row but
posted two bogeys later.
The birdies came on the 10th and 11th holes and the bogeys on
the 199-yard par-3 15th and the par-4 458-yard 16th.
He ended his round with a birdie on the 18th.
Lindskog, who has lived in Jakarta for four years, fired a
birdie putt on hole number 10 and an eagle shot on the par-5 492-
yard 11th hole.
The long-hitting Lidnskog, who turned 29 last Wednesday,
landed his second shot in the bunker but played a perfect bunker
shot from 15 meters with a sandwich 56 for an eagle.
"I think it was a good shot and a lucky one, because a good
shot is usually followed by a lucky shot," Lindskog said.
But after another birdie on the 7th, Lindskog lost his
concentration and recorded a double bogey on the 8th.
He erred by choosing a one-iron instead of a two-iron and his
shot was long.
"It was indeed a fatal decision made by a pro golfer and I was
sorry for making such decision," Lindskog said.
Local favorite Maan Naasim finished second with veteran
Sumarno, each carding 71.
Maan, from Sawang golf club near Jakarta, ended 1-under par at
71.
Sumarno, who with his brother Suparman represented Indonesia
in the 1984 World Cup at Pondok Indah Jakarta, also scored 71.
Kasiyadi, winner of Surabaya's Bukit Darmo Open where he beat
Lindskog, Maan and Sumarno last March, played a poor round and
had to settle for a 1-over 73.
"My putting was very poor," he said.
Kasiyadi became the first local golfer to win the Indonesia
Open in 1989 when he scored an 11-under 269 at the Jakarta Golf
Club.
Leading and selected results (Indonesian unless stated):
69 - Ilyasaak (JGC); Stephen Atako Lindskog (Swe)
71 - Maan Naasim (SWG); Sumarno
72 - Dede Idris (PCG); Burhan Bora (MGC)
73 - Kasiyadi (YGC); Acep Caprie (BSD); Bonin (SWG)
74 - Mario Siodina (Phi); Syafei Sobri (MNG);
76 - Benny Sugito (GSG); Gemmy Subagio (PIK).