Thammanoon ready to defend his title

Thammanoon ready to defend his title

JAKARTA (JP): Defending champion Thammanoon Sriroj of Thailand
is ready to defend his title at the US$300,000 1977 Tugu Pratama
PGA Championship.

Thammanoon said at a press conference yesterday that he was in
good shape for the tournament scheduled from today to Saturday at
the Bumi Serpong Damai golf course.

"I'm in good shape and I think the guy sit next to me, Mike
Cunning, will be my toughest rival here," said Thammanoon,
through his interpreter.

Thammanoon, who was ninth in the latest Omega Tour Order of
Merit list after the Bangkok Omega Tour Championship last Sunday,
has won US$83,597 this year.

But American Cunning said that he would have to work hard to
win on the course designed by Jack Nicklaus.

Cunning tops the Order of Merit with $141,849.

Indonesia's Kasiadi, who is in 25th position with $44,984,
said he was hopeful of winning the tournament.

"I think my preparations have been good enough. I also have a
high motivation to win before our own public," said Kasiadi, who
is number three on Indonesia's Order of Merit with Rp 45.7
million (US$12,650).

The three golfers will also face tough challenges from
Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng, who finished first in the Bangkok
tournament and is number two on the Order of Merit with $118,435.

Indonesia's Maan Nasim, who is top of the national Order of
Merit with Rp 73.5 million, Kenny Walker, who finished third in
Bangkok, and South Korea's Jun Tae-hyun will also be hard to
beat.

Other golfers who may pose a threat are Singapore's Murugiah,
Eric Meeks of the United States, M. Ali Kadir of Malaysia and
veteran Indonesian Ilyasyak.

Lack of practice

The executive director of the Asian PGA, Ramlan Dato Harun of
Malaysia, expressed his satisfaction that the tournament had
produced many good Asian players.

"The main problem for Asian players, including Indonesians, is
that they lack practice and tournaments outside their own
countries. If they have a bigger chance to compete in tournaments
outside Asia, I believe their experience and skill will improve,"
he said.

The organizers decided not to invite any of the world's top
players and give more places to Asian golfers as a way to realize
this ambition.

They said 126 professional golfers, including 32 locals, will
compete in the championships, which offers prize money of
$300,000, up from $250,000, with $48,000 going to the winner.

The tournament will also offer $20,000, doubled from last
year, for Sunday's Pro-Am tournament.

Bonuses of Rp 10 million will be given to golfers who manage
to a hole-in-one.

Anton Ponto, marketing director of Tugu Pratama Indonesia,
said the increased prize money was to make the event more
enticing for pro golfers. (yan)

Latest Asian PGA Omega Tourleading rankings (after Bangkok
tournament):
1. Mike Cunning (USA) US$141,849
2. Prayad Marksaeng (Tha) $118,435
3. Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) $105,375
4. Gerry Norquist (USA) $102,674
5. Des Terblanche (RSA) $98,696
6. Ted Purdy (USA) $96,891
7. Adrian Percey (Aus) $95,037
8. Zaw Moe (Mya) $91,662
9. Thammanoon Sriroj (Tha) $83,597
10. Park No-seok (Kor) $81,850

National Order of Merit (top five after Aceh Open):
1. Maan Naasim (PGPI) Rp 73.486.000
2. Steven Atako Lindskog (PGPI) Rp 58.957.200
3. Kasiadi (YGC) Rp 45.733.200
4. Burhan Bora (MGC) Rp 34.781.117
5. Ilyasaak (JGC) Rp 22.351.700