Indonesia President Invitational Press Release

Jakarta, September 21, 2010: The Indonesia President Invitational tournament has been one of the flagship events in Indonesia for last 3 years. Ancora Sports as the promoter of the tournament is proud to have collaborated with the Asian Tour, the Indonesian Golf Association, and the Indonesian Professional Golf Association for the event.
We express our fullest appreciation and gratitude to all of the sponsors, players, and other stakeholders who have participated in supporting the event in the past years.
Regrettably, due to technical reasons the Indonesia President Invitational has been postponed. We look forward to a bigger and better event in the upcoming years.

About Ancora Sports

Ancora Sports is dedicated to grooming Indonesian golfers both at the amateur and professional levels by providing the necessary platforms of training, tournaments, and player management. Through this development, the organization’s overarching goal is to bring recognition to Indonesian players and to Indonesia, with a view of developing its local golfers on the world stage.
http://www.ancorasports.com

The 21-year-old fired a flawless five-under-par 67 in the final round at Damai Indah Golf – Bumi Serpong Damai course to make up for the heartbreak of finishing runner-up in the event two years ago.

His four-day total of 22-under-par 266, which earned him US$63,400, was well clear of Australia’s Adam Blyth, who shot a 68 for lone second place in the US$400,000 event. Thailand’s Thammanoon Srirot finished third on 269 after a 66 while Korea’s Ted Oh was a further stroke back in fourth place.

“I’ve got no words to describe how happy I am,” said Bhullar, who was pipped by Filipino Juvic Pagunsan’s birdie, eagle finish in 2007. “I’ve been waiting for this for the past two years and I played really well today and I had a very good finish with a good score.”

Bhullar, who dropped only one bogey all week, took a one-shot lead into the last round after the third round was completed this morning. The supremely talented got out from the blocks superbly with four birdies in his opening six holes, and made the turn with a healthy four-shot lead.

Playing in the fifth to last group after organisers maintained the third round pairings due to delays caused by inclement weather, Bhullar nailed his fifth and final birdie on the par five 13th hole before enduring an anxious wait at the clubhouse.

Blyth, playing in the last match, fought gallantly in his attempt for a maiden Asian Tour title but failed to catch the winner, making a two-putt birdie at the last to secure lone second place which was worth US$43,400.

“I was sitting in the clubhouse and I knew what happened to me two years back. Adam played really well but it is a relief now. I’ve won three times on the Indian circuit this year and my goal a few months back was to win on the Asian Tour and this will get me into all the co-sanctioned events now and give me a lot of confidence in my coming years.

“Definitely after this victory, many things are going to change in my life. I’m looking forward to it,” said Bhullar, who received his trophy from Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Blyth, who started the final round one back, paid tribute to the winner. “The better man won today. I gave it all that I could and I am really happy with my performance and everything. He played better,” said Blyth, who now has 14 career top-10s.

“I hit it close and I putted well but they just weren’t dropping. I had a putt on the 16th which just stopped on the lip, so it wasn’t meant to happen.”

Srirot, winner at the Damai course in 1996, was delighted to finish third in a season which has been topsy turvy with inconsistent play. “I’m happy with my finish. I made some changes to my swing and I had a new driver this week and drove it better. This is a nice course and I like playing here. It is one reason why I did so well,” said the Thai veteran.

Filipino Artemio Murakami and Korea’s Bang Sang-moon shared fifth place on 272 while Burhan Bora was Indonesia’s best finisher in tied 35th place.

Leading final round scores
266 – Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 69-68-62-67
268 – Adam Blyth (AUS) 67-66-67-68
269 – Thammanoon Srirot (THA) 67-70-66-66
270 – Ted Oh (KOR) 68-67-66-69
272 – Bae Sang-moon (KOR) 76-64-64-68, Artemio Murakami (PHI) 69-67-68-68
273 – Noh Seung-yul (KOR) 72-68-66-67, Darren Beck (AUS) 66-73-69-65, Marcus Both (AUS) 66-70-68-69
274 – Lu Wei-chih (TPE) 70-71-65-68, Scott Hend (AUS) 70-69-68-67, Kim Dae-hyun (KOR) 69-67-69-69, Lee Sung (KOR) 67-67-71-69
275 – Jason King (AUS) 74-68-65-68, Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 68-68-70-69, Chris Rodgers (ENG) 69-67-70-69, Rick Kulacz (AUS) 72-71-66-66, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 66-66-71-72

Source: Asian Tour

The 21-year-old Bhullar, chasing his first Asian Tour title, compiled a blemish-free card with 10 birdies, holing out an audacious closing birdie on the 18th hole in fading light for a three-day total of 17-under-par 199 at the Damai Indah Golf – Bumi Serpong Damai course.

It gave the talented Indian a great chance to avenge his loss in the US$400,000 event two years ago when he was beaten by one stroke by Filipino Juvic Pagunsan’s birdie, eagle finish.

Australian Adam Blyth is lying in second place on 15-under-par where he was four under through 12 holes of his third round when play was suspended at 6pm. A lightning storm in the early afternoon forced a four-hour suspension, which will mean 27 players will resume their rounds at 6.45am on Sunday.

Korea’s Ted Oh was also in the title hunt for his maiden victory, lying on 14-under-par through 14 holes where he was five-under for the day while Thailand’s Thammanoon Srirot, who won on this course in 1996, was a further shot back after charging into contention by getting to six-under through 16 holes. He has an eight foot birdie putt on the 17th green in the morning.

It was déjà vu for Bhullar all over the again. “It feels almost like 2007 again, but there is still one day to go, 18 more holes to go,” said the highly rated Bhullar, who was the joint third round leader two years ago.

“I’m confident going into the final round and I’m hitting the ball well. I’m not thinking about a victory but I just hope to play like I played today. I didn’t know if I was going to finish or not but I took the chance. I hit a good driver on the 18th fairway in the dark and I had no clue where my ball was. It was same for my second shot where I hit it straight but I couldn’t see my ball landing but it was fine as it landed about 15 feet and I two putted from there safely (for birdie). I’m just happy I finished,” said Bhullar, who competed in his maiden British Open last week.

With lightning storms disrupting play for the past two days, Blyth knows it could come down to a mental test on Sunday if he is to break through for his first Asian Tour victory. “It is a test with the stops and restarts. We’ve got five holes left for tomorrow and we’ll see what we can do but Bhullar is playing really well,” said Blyth, who is 10th on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit.

“You just have to eat and drink right and get the energy up for a long day and take things really slowly and in my own time, just to keep the mental side fresh. I’m swinging it really well. There are a lot of birdie chances out there.”

Two months after missing a short putt for a maiden title, Korea’s Oh is excited that he has another crack at ending his winless streak. He was delighted to post five birdies in the interrupted round.

“We’ve had this many times (in Asia) and you kind of know what to expect and I knew how the course was going to be when I got out there again. You just have to stay patient and make sure you’re not tired and stay calm,” said Oh.

“My goal is to try and make a lot of birdies tomorrow. I’ve been playing well and I’m swinging it really well.”

Thammanoon, a five-time winner in the region but without a title since 2004, hopes to replay his feat of 1996 where he won at the Jack Nicklaus-designed course. He will have an eight foot putt for birdie to edge closer to the leader tomorrow morning.

“I played real nice on the front nine to go out in 30 but after the four hour wait, I started on the 11th and then three putted for bogey. All the waiting is not good for me but I think I still have a chance at the title tomorrow,” he said.

Leading third round scores
199 – Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 69-68-62
204 – Bae Sang-moon (KOR) 76-64-64
206 – Noh Seung-yul (KOR) 72-68-66, Lu Wei-chih (TPE) 70-71-65, Son Joon-eob (KOR) 73-65-68
207 – James Kamte (RSA) 69-71-67, Scott Hend (AUS) 70-69-68, Jason King (AUS) 74-68-65
208 – Darren Beck (AUS) 66-73-69, Kim Young-jin (KOR) 72-66-70
209 – Wu Ashun (CHN) 70-70-69, Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 74-67-68, Mardan Mamat (SIN) 74-65-70
210 – Amandeep Johl (IND) 70-70-70, Andrew Dodt (AUS) 73-67-70, Tony Carolan (AUS) 71-68-71

(Note: 27 players to resume third round at 6.45am Sunday)

Source: Asian Tour

The third edition of the US$400,000 Asian Tour event was a thriller with Korea’s Lee Sung, Thammanoon Srirot of Thailand and Australia’s Adam Blyth lying a further stroke back on 67s at the Damai Indah Golf – Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) course.

Singaporean prospect Quincy Quek, featuring in his first Asian Tour event as a professional, brilliantly fired seven consecutive birdies en route to a 68 to lie two off a crowded leaderboard.

Indonesia’s top performer was leading amateur Benny Kasiadi, who returned a bogey-free 70, a score matched by defending champion Scott Hend of Australia.

The evergreen Thaworn, Asia’s number one in 2005, sank three closing birdies from close range to extend his recent revival in form which has seen him win three smaller tournaments across the region.

“During the first six months of the year, I was doing everything the same as before but nothing happened for me. But recently, the putts started to roll in and things began to happen again,” said the 10-time Asian Tour winner, who failed to register a single top-10 in the front half of the season.

“I have prepared well for the second half of our season and it’s nice to have a good start. I’m happy but anything can still happen,” added the 42-year-old Thaworn.

Beck, runner-up at the Hero Honda Indian Open last year, overcame a double bogey on the ninth hole with eight birdies for his strong start. “It was a good round despite the double bogey where I missed an easy tap in. Hopefully, I can continue to play well and challenge for my first Asian Tour win,” he said.

The 33-year-old Purhonen, who recently came out from a four year sabbatical during which he was Finland’s national amateur team coach, posted six birdies against one bogey to grab the early limelight. He missed his Asian Tour card by one stroke at Qualifying School at the start of the year but hopes to make full use of his second tournament in the region.

“I made a couple of good putts early on to keep it going and then the game eventually got a little better. I putted well the whole day and I hit a lot of fairways. I was really solid. Most of the putts were from inside eight or nine feet,” said the 33-year-old.

Both was the last man to join the crowded leaderboard, thanks to a snaky 25-foot birdie putt at his last hole on the ninth. He credited the hard work put in with coach Adam Fraser, a former Asian Tour regular, during the summer break for his start.

“After a couple of months off, you are never quite sure how you are going to come back. Six-under on this golf course under these conditions, I’ll take that for sure,” said Both, the 2003 Sanya Open winner.

“I know what I have to keep doing and everything went nicely today but I still have a long way to go. I think everyone obviously wants to win golf tournaments and I wouldn’t be playing any of these weeks if I didn’t think I could win.”

Singapore’s rising star, Quek who started from the 10th tee, got off to a nervous start when he soared to three over par through seven holes. But he responded with an exciting run of seven birdies on the trot from the 17th hole to end the day two off the pace.

“Seven birdies in a row, you can’t really complain! At the start of the morning, I wasn’t quite awake but it warmed up and I got some confidence going and got the ball rolling and everything kind of went in. I put myself in some good positions for birdies and I’m quite pleased with the round,” said the 22-year-old, who has won top honours in the Putra Cup – the region’s top amateur team competition.

Source: Asian Tour

The 21-year-old is bidding to become the first Indonesian to triumph on the Asian Tour and he will rely on home advantage to sparkle at the Damai Indah Golf – Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) course.

Australian Scott Hend defends his title against a strong field which includes inaugural winner Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines, Singapore’s Mardan Mamat, Noh Seung-yul of Korea and Adam Blyth of Australia.

All eyes will also be on Singaporean prospect Quincy Quek, who will play in his first Asian Tour event as a professional.

Hie, who enjoyed an impressive amateur record with three wins in the United States, has practised regularly at the Jack Nicklaus-designed course over the last few months and even imagined himself taking a victory stroll on the 18th fairway.

“I think about victory all the time. When I started playing this golf course two months ago, I would imagine walking up the 18th hole with a one stroke lead and I will get chills in my skin. But I’ll try to not look too far ahead and will tell myself to take it day-by-day,” said Hie today.

Hie made his professional debut at last year’s Indonesia President Invitational and has since developed into an exciting talent on the Asian Tour. He enjoyed a maiden top-10 at the SAIL Open in India early this season, finishing tied ninth.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play on the Asian Tour. Some people don’t have anywhere to play so I consider myself to be pretty lucky,” said Hie. “My game is coming around. The toughest part is keeping my game consistent as it seems to change every week. This week I feel like everything is coming around together so I have to keep patient and stay focussed,” he added.

Hend is looking forward to his defence although he won his maiden Asian Tour title on a different venue last year. The big-hitting Australian struggled to make an impact in the front half of the year due to injuries but he is confident of getting his season back on track at the Indonesia President Invitational.

“It is good to come back and see the trophy. It brings back some good memories,” said Hend. “To be honest, I’ve played very average in the first six months of the year but my health and my game is coming together again. I’m looking forward to a good finish to the year.”

During the summer break, Hend kept his golf bag in the storeroom and spent most of his time playing father to his children. He said his game may not be as sharp as he likes it to be for his title defence. “I don’t expect to win this week. On the outside I have low expectations but inside of me, I have high expectations. It’s all about not getting frustrated when you’re not playing well,” said Hend.

Quek is gunning for a strong showing in Jakarta. “I’m quite excited. I am here on an invite so hopefully I can play well. I’m looking forward to this debut,” he said.

“The pressure is different but I’ll try to not think about it. They say that before you start a tournament, you’re already down because you’re paying for flights and hotels and I don’t have a sponsor yet. But if you let this things affect you, it won’t be good. Now that I’ve been given this opportunity, I hope to make full use of it,” added the 22-year-old.

Quek has sought the advice from experienced players to get his career off on the right track. “There are a lot of guys based in Singapore – from Kyi Hla Han to Lam Chih Bing and Mardan Mamat, Zaw Moe and Unho Park and they share a common mindset and tell me that I have to take the knocks and ups and downs. It has been very encouraging,” said Quek.

Leading Indonesian amateur golfer, Benny Kasiadi is raring to tee off with the best from Asia as he believes it will be an eventful experience for him. “It is a rare opportunity for amateurs in Indonesia to play on the Tour. I believe this tournament will enhance the reputation of amateurs and my goal is to be named as the best amateur player,” said Kasiadi.

Source: Asian Tour

As Scott Hend aims to defend his title, Asiantour.com looks at the top contenders likely to put up a strong challenge at the Damai Indah Golf – Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) course.

• Scott Hend (Aus)
  Despite having to defend his title on a different course this week, title holder Hend is looking forward to the challenge and hopes to relive last year’s three-stroke victory. His big-hitting game will be an advantage on the par-72 7,158-yard course which many believe is a big-hitters’ paradise.
  Order of Merit ranking: 63rd
• Juvic Pagunsan (Phi)
  It will be a walk down memory lane for Pagunsan as he won the inaugural Indonesia President Invitational on the BSD Course in 2007, thanks to memorable birdie, eagle finish in his last two holes. The Filipino will be looking to continue his rich vein of form as he has already chalked two top-10s this year.
  Order of Merit ranking: 22nd
• James Kamte (Rsa)
  Kamte will be banking on his US Open experience as he guns for his second Asian Tour title this year. It has been a fruitful rookie season for the powerful South African as he won the Asian Tour International in Thailand, just weeks after earning his tour card in Qualifying School.
  Order of Merit ranking: 13th
• Mardan Mamat (Sin)
  Two-time Asian Tour winner, Mardan, enjoyed an impressive first half of the year where he claimed two top-10 finishes and a tied 14th at the Johnnie Walker Classic in February. The 42-year-old Singaporean will be determined to improve his current standings on the Asian Tour Order of Merit where he lies in ninth position with US$106,723.58 in earnings. After his summer break, he is raring to get into action again and could well sparkle this week.
  Order of Merit ranking: 9th
• Rory Hie (Ind)
  The talented Hie will lead the Indonesian challenge as he puts his home ground advantage to good use. The 21-year-old made his debut as a professional in this tournament last year and subsequently earned his tour card after finishing in the top-40 at Qualifying School in Thailand early this season. Hie has already chalked one top-10 finish so far this year at the SAIL Open in India.
  Order of Merit ranking: 58th
• Bae Sang-moon (Kor)
  Bae will be a threat at the BSD course as he is one of the longest drivers on Tour. He also enjoyed his debut at the US Open in June and has already won once this season at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in May for his third career victory.
  Order of Merit ranking: 8th
• Adam Blyth
  Blyth produced an eye-catching performance at the Maybank Malaysian Open in February where he led after the third round before ending the tournament in 10th place. The Australian has yet to make a breakthrough on the Asian Tour but has come close on several occasions. Blyth also registered a tied seventh finish at the Johnnie Walker Classic in Australia.
  Order of Merit ranking: 10th

Source: Asian Tour

The Filipino rising star is happy to return to the scene of his maiden Asian Tour title at Damai Indah Golf – Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) course, which saw him produce a stunning birdie, eagle finish for a one-shot victory.

The third edition of the Indonesia President Invitational, which starts on Thursday, marks the resumption of the Tour’s second half of the season. Australian Scott Hend, who won the title at the Pantai Indah Kapuk course last year, will defend his crown where other top stars include Korea’s Bae Sang-moon, Singaporean veteran Mardan Mamat and Australian Adam Blyth, all ranked in the top-10 of the Order of Merit.

“It’s nice to come back here. I hit it well in practice yesterday and in today’s pro-am and hopefully I can try to win it again. The course is a bit different though as the greens are new and they have more undulation. If you miss them on the wrong side, it’s a tough shot,” said the 31-year-old Pagunsan.

Pagunsan pipped India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar to the inaugural title in 2007 with his magical finish but he has yet to replicate the shots so far this week. “I remember that birdie, eagle finish. I tried to hit it good again in the last two holes in the pro-am but I didn’t make it. In fact, I found water twice on the 18th!,” said Pagunsan, who has registered two top-10s and three top-25s this season.

“I’ve got lots of confidence being back here. I’ve nearly kept my card for next season and I’ll try to play good for the second half of the season. I’m thinking of a win this week.”

Three years has passed since Mardan’s famous home triumph at the Singapore Masters and the 41-year-old is itching to get back into the winner’s enclosure. Tied eighth finishes at the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open and Ballantine’s Championship in Korea have pushed him up to ninth place on the Order of Merit and with his 2010 card already secured, Mardan plans to free-wheel his game towards a third career title.

“I’m feeling good. I’ve been practising a lot back home and I’ve gained some confidence in my game. I’m feeling quite fresh, both mentally and physically, after a nice break. It’s a matter of making a lot of putts, hopefully I can do it this week,” said Mardan.

“Now that I’ve kept my card for next year, you don’t have so much pressure. It’s been a long time since I last won. I’ve had a few injuries here and there but I feel better now.”

Blyth, who ranks 10th on the merit list, is desperate to end his title drought in Asia after accumulating 13 career top-10s over the past five seasons. “Hopefully a win will come along when it’s ready. Maybe I’ve pushed too hard and I’ll just try to let it happen. I think that’s where I’ve gone wrong in the past where I had wanted it too much,” said the 27-year-old.

Blyth and his father-cum-caddie Stephen took extended time off to visit Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Dubai during the summer break but are raring to get into tournament mode again. “I’ve been practising really hard over the last three weeks and I’m ready to go. I’m ready to get back into the heat again,” said Blyth.

Malaysia’s Iain Steel returns to the Indonesia President Invitational where he hopes to make up for last year’s disappointment where he entered the final round tied for the lead but finished sixth.

“I’ve had a slow start to the year and I’m not proud of it. I missed the cuts in the big ones, which I don’t normally do and I want to try to gain some consistency. It’s a bomber’s paradise again this week where the par fours are quite long and par fives are quite short. If you can putt well and hit it long, it will play into your favour,” he said.

The Indonesia President Invitational is supported by main sponsors Pertamina and Qatar Telecoms. Other co-sponsors include Indosat, Middle East Coal and Panasonic, and its partner sponsors are Ancora Indonesia Resources, Bormindo, Carlsberg, Coffee Bean, Evian, Garuda Indonesia, Golf Digest, Hotel Mulia, MNK, Pin High, Prestige, Ramsay Health Care, RICOH, Srixon, TAG Heuer, The Flag, and Toyota.

The Indonesia President Invitational tournament is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Indonesian PGA (PGPI) and organised by the Indonesian Golf Association (PGI).

For further information, please contact Asian Tour’s Chuah Choo Chiang or Doyle De Costa at the tournament media centre tel: +62 21 3093 4279. Also visit www.asiantour.com for Live Scoring this week.

Source: Asian Tour

• Thaworn Wiratchant
  Thaworn Wiratchant’s name is nothing new to those who have been in following the Asian Tour tournaments. The 42-year-old Thai golfer has so far banked 10 Asian Tour wins under his belt, constantly making top 10 in the Order of Merit list since 2003 and topped the money list in 2005 with 4 tournament wins during that year alone, including the 2005 Enjoy Jakarta Standard Chartered Indonesia Open, an Asian Tour event co-sanctioned with European Tour. Thaworn competed in the 2008 Indonesia President Invitational and made the top 10 with a 7th place finish.
• Gaganjeet Bhullar
  Young Gaganjeet Bhullar has been consistently showing signs as a promising rising star since the beginning of his professional career in 2006. Earlier this year Gaganjeet qualified for his first major tournament, the 2009 British Open by placing top 4 in the International Final Qualifying. Gaganjeet has been a loyal participant of Indonesia President Invitational since its beginning in 2007, where he placed 2nd and only lost the winning title by one shot. Last year in 2008, though unable to re-orchestra his previous year performance, Gaganjeet made the cut and finished a respectable tied for 39th rank.
• Chapchai Nirat
  The 25-year-old Thai golf prodigy turned pro in 1998 when he was only 15 years old and joined Asian Tour in 2005. Earlier this year in the 2009 Sail open, Chapchai managed to stun the world and made a buzz as he broke the Asian Tour’s records for 36, 54 and 72 holes best scores, shooting a total of impressive 32 under par score by the end of the final day (62-62-65-67). In 2007, he participated in the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational with a T10 finish.
• Noh Seung-yul
  18-year-old South Korean Noh Seung-yul turned pro in 2007 and immediately made his name with impressive tournament finishes. He was named Rookie of the year in 2008 due to his stunning performance during that season, placing 2nd in three tournaments before winning in 2008 Midea China Classic and finishing 10th place in the Asian Tour’s 2008 Order of merit. Participating in 2008 Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational and placing tied for 15th place surely helped him accomplish the feat.
• Mardan Mamat
  Like Thaworn, Mardan Mamat is a name often heard in the scene of Asian Tour. The 41 year old Singaporean golfer turned pro in 1994 and has been with Asian Tour since the beginning of its time in 1995. During his professional career, Mardan constantly makes the top 50 in the Order of Merit and has recorded two Asian Tour wins under his belt, the 2004 Royal Challenge Indian Open and 2006 Singapore Masters. In 2007 Mardan participated in Indonesia President Invitational, finishing in T29 place.
• Rory Hidayat Hie
  Prior to turning pro, 20-year-old Rory Hie enjoyed a successful amateur career in the US where he played for University of Southern California, one of the top collegiate golf team in the nation. In 2008, the Indonesian golfer played in the Indonesia President Invitational just days after announcing his pro status. He unfortunately missed the cut but later made it up when he won his first professional title in the 2008 Mercedes-Benz International Championship. Rory also went on to become the first Indonesian player to qualify for a full Asian Tour card and a conditional card in European Tour.
• Maan Nasim
  Maan Nasim has constantly performed as one of the nation’s best golfer. Earlier this year Maan left his competitor in the dust when he fired an impressive 16-under-par to win the Ancora Pro Series 2, topping PGPI (Indonesia Professional Golf Association)’s Order of Merit and earning him the #1 spot from PGPI to compete in the 2009 Indonesia President Invitational. Maan also previously competed in the 2008 tournament and became one of the only three Indonesian players to make the cut, with a respectable T54 finish.

Guests and golf enthusiasts can now view the entry list for Indonesia President Invitational over at the Asian Tour’s official website. Click here to view the entry list.