U.S. star to play in Open

JAKARTA (JP): Top golfer Mark Calcavecchia of Britain has confirmed his entry for the 1997 Satelindo Indonesia Open from April 24 to April 27.

Mario Cardinali, the executive director of Satelindo, said Wednesday that Calcavecchia would be among 144 professional golfers competing in the four-day tournament at the Jagorawi golf course near Bogor, West Java.

The Open will offer total cash prizes of Rp 600 million (US$250,000).

"We are grateful that Calcavecchia has accepted the invitation to take part in the tournament. We hope with his appearance here will incite other golfers to challenge him. Mark himself said he will try to win the tournament," Mario said.

The 36-year-old golfer won the English Open in 1989. He has won 11 world championships including winning seven PGA Tours and the Australian Open. He has also been included in the U.S. Ryder Cup team and the U.S. team for the Dunhill Cup.

Calcavecchia is ranked 14th in terms of world golf earnings.

The Satelindo Indonesia Open is part of the Asian PGA Omega Tour. (lnt)