Slow Start For Indonesian Players At CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters

Jakarta, May 2 - Scott Hend of Australia continued his dominant run on the Asian Tour when he shot an opening round six-under-par 66 to share the clubhouse lead with Hwang Inn-choon of Korea at the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters on Thursday.

Reigning Open Championship winner Ernie Els of South Africa was also in the mix with his effort of 68 at the US$750,000 Asian Tour event which is staged at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.

Bernd Wiesberger of Austria, who finished tied seventh last year, fired 67 for third place while Adilson Da Silva of Brazil and Asian Tour rookie David Lutterus of Australia shared fourth with Els.

Hend, known for his come-from-behind victories, was delighted to be in position to win his second Asian Tour title this season after his triumph at the Chiangmai Golf Classic in March.

“I’m in a good position. The scores are going to be low this week so I’ve got to keep grinding those numbers and add that into a good score,” said the big-hitting Australian, who won his first Asian Tour title in Indonesia in 2008.

“I think because of how wet it is from the rain last night and the ball’s not rolling very far. We (big hitters) have an advantage over the other guys who may have a shorter iron hitting into the greens but you still have to get those putts into the hole.”

He got off to a fast start with three straight birdies from 12 but his charge came to a halt when he double bogeyed five which was swiftly erased with an eagle two on the next hole.

“Got a bit unlucky and hit an average drive and chipped out from the rough where I hit into the cart path which went into an unplayable lie and took a double bogey. But you know what these things happen in golf and got straight back into business with an eagle,” said Hend.

Korea’s Hwang, who won on the Asian Tour in 2008, put his new putter to good use when he birdied four out of his closing five holes for the share of the lead.

“I wasn’t putting good enough but on Wednesday I decided to go to the pro-shop to buy a new Odyssey putter. It felt so good and that’s why I’m putting so well this week!” he smiled.

“I’m very happy because my putting was so good and I hit a lot of drives on the fairways. I like to play on this golf course because it has very good fairways and fast greens,” added Hwang.

A return to Asia has brought out the best out of four-time Major champion Els, who finished tied 13th at the Masters Tournament and placed 15th on the PGA Tour on Sunday.

“I’m starting to feel more comfortable with my game. The last time I played in Chiangmai, I wasn’t too comfortable with my game. I played okay at the Masters Tournament and had a nice week at New Orleans. I feel that things are starting to come around so I got to thank the Asian Tour for getting my game back in shape. I like playing out here,” said Els.

Of the Indonesian players Junaidi Ibrahim had the best round. An even par 72 puts him in a share of 52nd place for the day, one shot ahead of Denny A. Wijaya and Andik Mauludin, who are both tied for 73rd place. Best amateurs are Adi Bramantyo and Aditya Novanto, who both went around the course in 76 strokes.

Meanwhile George Gandranata will have to battle hard tomorrow if he wants to make the cut, as his first round 77 puts him already 5 shots behind the projected cut off. This is however true for all Indonesian players, as based on today's results only one player would have made the cut, and just by a hair, so hopefully tomorrow they all will improve their game and more local players get to play the final 2 rounds.

Results of the first round of the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters at Royale Jakarta Golf Club (A denotes amateur):

66 - HWANG Inn-choon (KOR), Scott HEND (AUS)

67 - Bernd WIESBERGER (AUT)

68 - Adilson Da SILVA (BRA), Ernie ELS (RSA), David LUTTERUS (AUS), Jason KNUTZON (USA), Scott BARR (AUS), Arnond VONGVANIJ (THA), Unho PARK (AUS)

Selected:

72 - Junaidi IBRAHIM (INA)

73 - Denny A. WIJAYA (INA), Andik MAULUDIN (INA)

74 - Heri Kurniasandi (INA), Johannes DERMAWAN (INA)

75 - Ilyasyak (INA), Nasin SURACHMAN (INA)

76 - Adi BRAMANTYO (A) (INA), Aditya NOVANTO (A) (INA), Benny KASIADI (INA), Hendri NASIM (INA)

77 - George GANDRANATA (INA), HARDJITO (INA), Andi Atmo (INA)

78 - Ramadhan ALWIE (INA), Hamzah RACHMADI (INA), Jamel ONDO (INA), Ade SEBUL (INA)

79 - Jordan IRAWAN (A) (INA), Maan NASIM (INA)

80 - Ian ANDREW (INA), Sandro BERNAD (INA)

81 - Indra HERMAWAN (INA), Cahyo ADHITOMO (A) (INA)

83 - Kevin C. Akbar (A) (INA)