U.S.-based golfer Tumbel leads E. Java Open

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Ben Tumbel from the Jakarta Golf Club, now residing in the U.S., took the early lead in the Rp 150 million (US$16,000) East Java Open by two strokes after carding a 2-under 70 (34 36) on Monday.

Ben, who had to qualify in a preliminary playoff for the 4-day tournament played at the Yani Golf Club in the East Java capital city of Surabaya, opened the round with a birdie.

He fired two other birdies in the 8th and 9th holes for a 34 and a bogey when he made it five for the par-4 of the 6th.

Ben went home with an even par 36, but his three birdies on the back nine were marred by three bogeys. For finishing on top of the leader board after day one, he collected 1 million rupiah in prize money.

Two shots behind the leader each with a 72, were two players from East Java, Soewarno K from the Bukit Darmo Golf and Suyanto, an amateur being groomed for the National Sports Games.

Three strokes further back in third place each with a 73 were Ramadhan Alwi from Pondok Indah and Budiono from PGMar Surabaya.

A field of 90 golfers taking part in the annual event organized by the Association of Indonesian Pro Golfers (PGPI) in close cooperation with East Java chapater of Indonesia Golf Association (PGI).