Locals Eye Top 10 in Banten

Posted on July 21, 2009 by Ancora Sports | Categories: News | link

After dominating the national pro series, Maan Nasim wants to make a good impression when the Asian and European tours come to town.

Maan won three of the four Indonesia Professional Golf Association (PGPI) Tour events and tops the association’s order of merit. His next goal is finishing in the top 10 at the Indonesia President Invitational, which begins at the Damai Indah Golf Course in Serpong, Banten, on Thursday.

“In the two previous events, I always ended the tournament in the top 40,” Maan said on Tuesday. “I have trained on the course for three weeks and I think I made a lot of progress, especially on the greens.”

Damai Indah’s Bumi Serapong Damai course will host the tournament, joint-sanctioned by the Asian and European tours, for the second time.

Before the event starts, course designer Jack Nicklaus supervised renovations intended to make the greens more challenging. Maan said the changes had the desired effect, but added they would not be a problem for Asia’s best players.

Maan started his successful run by winning the RP Invitational tournament in March, followed by Ancora Pro Series victories in May and July.

His wins put him atop the PGPI order of merit with Rp 107 million ($10,700) in prize money, with Sarmilih KZ in second and Andik Mauludin in third.

Among the Indonesian golfers joining Maan in defending their home turf during the $400,000 tournament are Rory Hie and Andik. The PGPI submitted a list of 20 players for the event, while the Indonesian Golf Association contributed 10 names.

Indonesian amateur Rizal Arya said he expected to face some fierce competition. “Most of the best players in the Asian Tour will take part in the event, so I will only try to make the cut,” he said.

“I have practiced on the course for a few days, and I found the greens are more challenging,” Rizal added.

Australian Scott Hend returns to defend his 2008 title. The field also includes 2007 champion Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines, Chapchai Nirat of Thailand and India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar and Anthony Kang.

Pagunsan, who needed a birdie and an eagle on his last two holes to win in 2007, said he has lofty goals. “I’ve got lots of confidence being back here, that I’m thinking of a win this week,” the 31-year-old said.