Jakarta, December 21 - The Indonesian Golf Association (PGI), Asian Tour and IMG have signed a landmark three-year agreement to stage the Indonesia Open from 2013 onwards, officials announced today.
The new partnership will focus on elevating the stature of the Indonesia Open into one of the most prestigious national championships on the Asian Tour, which is the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia.
As a full member of the International Federation of PGA Tours, all Asian Tour tournaments receive the highest allocation of Official World Golf Ranking points in the region.
With golf returning to the Olympic Games in 2016, the exciting development will provide a clear pathway for Indonesian golfers to try and play their way to Rio de Janeiro in four years’ time through the accumulation of Official World Golf Ranking points.
The return of the Indonesia Open onto the Asian Tour platform will see the country welcoming an array of stars from the Asian Tour whose members hail from nearly 30 different nationalities. This will ensure a truly cosmopolitan field when the 2013 Indonesian Open is staged in the second half of 2013. The venue and tournament dates will be announced at a later time.
By being on the Asian Tour’s television platform, the Indonesia Open will beamed to over 200 countries and 650 million homes around the world, ensuring that Indonesia’s golf credentials are promoted extensively through the championship.
The PGI President Arifin Panigoro said: “On behalf of PGI, we are delighted to announce that we have entered into a partnership with the Asian Tour and IMG which will benefit our country immensely through a myriad of wonderful opportunities for junior development, the golfing industry and tourism in this country.
“This agreement marks a new dawn for our national championship and we are convinced the staging of the Indonesia Open in 2013 and beyond will be hugely successful so that the entire golfing fraternity in Indonesia will be proud of our flagship tournament.
“Through our association with the Asian Tour, we believe this will also mark the start of our quest to push the leading Indonesian golfers towards qualification for the Olympic Games in 2016. We are looking forward to exciting times for the PGI and the Indonesia Open.”
Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said: “The Indonesia Open has always been one of the finest golf championships in Asia where our leading stars such as Thaworn Wiratchant, winner of the 2012 Asian Tour Order of Merit, and Thongchai Jaidee have won the tournament in the past.
“We are excited to have this opportunity to work closely with the PGI and we believe the Indonesia Open is right up there amongst the best of national Opens in Asia. Our players enjoy visiting Indonesia as the golf courses, facilities and hospitality are first class and we look forward to returning for the 2013 Indonesian Open.
”Through this new partnership, it will create the opportunity for Indonesian players to advance their golf careers and develop their games to a higher level in view of the qualification process for the 2016 Olympics. We believe the Indonesia Open will also provide the catalyst for more Indonesian players to compete on the Asian Tour.”
Grant Slack, Senior Vice President, IMG Golf said: “We are very much looking forward to working with the PGI and our partners, the Asian Tour, to develop the Indonesia Open into one of Asia finest tournaments. We believe the players will really enjoy adding Indonesia to their schedules. It is a wonderful country to visit with fantastic golf courses and facilities and we look forward to delivering an Indonesia Open that will truly showcase all that Indonesia has to offer the global golf market.”
Established in 1974, the Indonesia Open’s roll of honour include prominent names such as the late American Payne Stewart, Frank Nobilo of New Zealand, Filipino legend Frankie Minoza, Australia’s Craig Parry, Chinese Taipei’s Lu Chien-soon and Myanmar’s Mya Aye.
Kasiadi is the only Indonesian player to have won his national Open in 1989.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Rory Hie Just Misses Cut At Australian PGA Championship
COOLUM, Australia, Dec 14 - An unheralded former security guard from China and a local hero inspired by his terminally ill father shared the lead on Friday after two rounds of the Australian PGA Championship, presented by Coca-Cola.
Overnight leader Daniel Popovic carded a 70 to go with his opening 64, while Zhang Xinjun had a second 67 to leave the pair at 10 under for the tournament and two shots clear of the field.
The A$1.5 million tournament -- the season finale for both OneAsia and the PGA Tour of Australasia -- is being played at the Palmer Coolum Resort on the Sunshine Coast.
Keeping alive his hopes of snatching the OneAsia Order of Merit title, Matthew Griffin (67) shares third place with 2006 U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy (69), a winner here in 2008.
Fellow Aussies Matthew Goggin (66), Steven Bowditch (67) and Brad Kennedy (68) are fifth, a further stroke behind.
The cut was set at plus one.
Popovic, 26, played flawless golf in the morning and stretched his lead to five shots until a double-bogey on the 15th -- the same hole he recorded his only dropped shot of the first round.
"That 15th hole, I can’t get my head around it actually -- it is really tough judging the wind there," he said.
"It was a mind blank there’s no explanation for it apart from I just wasn’t in the shot."
Popovic revealed on Thursday that he almost gave up golf after his father was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, but was inspired to keep playing in pursuit of a victory for him.
He hadn't yet been able to speak to his father about his performance so far because he was in hospital having blood tests, but said his mother was a bundle of nerves.
"My mum was beside herself. She actually told me that she couldn’t watch she was just too nervous, but she was in tears and saw the final score so they were very happy."
While Popovic was taught to play by his father as a child, Zhang's journey to the halfway lead couldn't be more different.
Hailing from a village near the old Tang dynasty capital of Xi'an in western China, Zhang left school at 15 and set his sights on becoming a security guard, hopeful the 600 renminbi ($95) monthly paycheck would help support his farmer parents.
When his first assignment after completing three months of basic training was to a golf course, the impressionable youngster was immediately struck by the strange, foreign game and before long he was spending all his spare time on the driving range.
"I never thought I would become a pro golfer and play full time on a golf tour," said the 25-year-old.
"When I picked up a golf club, the best I could hope for was to maybe become a coach and earn my living by teaching golf."
On Friday he was giving the big names a lesson, with eight birdies -- including a run of four in-a-row -- offset by three bogeys.
Ogilvy, who had won the U.S. Open when Zhang was just learning the game, was also happy with his performance.
"I feel like I am in a good place. I think I like how I am playing and I am obviously quite comfortable on this golf course."
Defending champion Greg Chalmers and Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke both shot 69s to ensure they'd be playing the weekend, while Rory Sabbatini slipped under the wire with a second-round 68 following an opening 76.
Nick Cullen and Park Sang-hyun, who could have won the OneAsia Order of Merit title had they triumphed this weekend, both missed the cut.
Indonesia's number 1 player Rory Hie, who shot 71 on day 1, saw his chances for a weekend appearance fade when he made double bogeys on the 1st and 6th hole, followed by bogeys on 7 and 8. Although he managed to counter with 4 birdies, another bogey on the final hole meant he missed the cut by just one stroke.
Scores after round two of the Australian PGA Championship, presented by Coca-Cola, being played at the par 72, 6,114-metres (6.686-yard) Palmer Coolum Resort course:
134 - Daniel Popovic (AUS) 64-70, Zhang Xin Jun (CHN) 67-67.
136 - Geoff Ogilvy (AUS) 67-69, Matthew Griffin (AUS) 69-67.
137 - Mathew Goggin (AUS) 71-66, Steven Bowditch (AUS) 70-67, Brad Kennedy (AUS) 69-68.
138 - Rod Pampling (AUS) 71-67, Peter Senior (AUS) 68-70.
139 - Stephen Leaney (AUS) 69-70, Steve Conran (AUS) 69-70, Matthew Millar (AUS) 73-66, Richard Green (AUS) 71-68, Darren Clarke (NIR) 70-69, Leigh McKechnie (AUS) 70-69, Jason Kang (USA) 70-69, Kurt Barnes (AUS) 74-65, Scott Strange (AUS) 66-73, Marc Leishman (AUS) 69-70, Jamie Arnold (AUS) 71-68.
Selected:
146 - Rory Hie (INA) 71-75.
Overnight leader Daniel Popovic carded a 70 to go with his opening 64, while Zhang Xinjun had a second 67 to leave the pair at 10 under for the tournament and two shots clear of the field.
The A$1.5 million tournament -- the season finale for both OneAsia and the PGA Tour of Australasia -- is being played at the Palmer Coolum Resort on the Sunshine Coast.
Keeping alive his hopes of snatching the OneAsia Order of Merit title, Matthew Griffin (67) shares third place with 2006 U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy (69), a winner here in 2008.
Fellow Aussies Matthew Goggin (66), Steven Bowditch (67) and Brad Kennedy (68) are fifth, a further stroke behind.
The cut was set at plus one.
Popovic, 26, played flawless golf in the morning and stretched his lead to five shots until a double-bogey on the 15th -- the same hole he recorded his only dropped shot of the first round.
"That 15th hole, I can’t get my head around it actually -- it is really tough judging the wind there," he said.
"It was a mind blank there’s no explanation for it apart from I just wasn’t in the shot."
Popovic revealed on Thursday that he almost gave up golf after his father was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, but was inspired to keep playing in pursuit of a victory for him.
He hadn't yet been able to speak to his father about his performance so far because he was in hospital having blood tests, but said his mother was a bundle of nerves.
"My mum was beside herself. She actually told me that she couldn’t watch she was just too nervous, but she was in tears and saw the final score so they were very happy."
While Popovic was taught to play by his father as a child, Zhang's journey to the halfway lead couldn't be more different.
Hailing from a village near the old Tang dynasty capital of Xi'an in western China, Zhang left school at 15 and set his sights on becoming a security guard, hopeful the 600 renminbi ($95) monthly paycheck would help support his farmer parents.
When his first assignment after completing three months of basic training was to a golf course, the impressionable youngster was immediately struck by the strange, foreign game and before long he was spending all his spare time on the driving range.
"I never thought I would become a pro golfer and play full time on a golf tour," said the 25-year-old.
"When I picked up a golf club, the best I could hope for was to maybe become a coach and earn my living by teaching golf."
On Friday he was giving the big names a lesson, with eight birdies -- including a run of four in-a-row -- offset by three bogeys.
Ogilvy, who had won the U.S. Open when Zhang was just learning the game, was also happy with his performance.
"I feel like I am in a good place. I think I like how I am playing and I am obviously quite comfortable on this golf course."
Defending champion Greg Chalmers and Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke both shot 69s to ensure they'd be playing the weekend, while Rory Sabbatini slipped under the wire with a second-round 68 following an opening 76.
Nick Cullen and Park Sang-hyun, who could have won the OneAsia Order of Merit title had they triumphed this weekend, both missed the cut.
Indonesia's number 1 player Rory Hie, who shot 71 on day 1, saw his chances for a weekend appearance fade when he made double bogeys on the 1st and 6th hole, followed by bogeys on 7 and 8. Although he managed to counter with 4 birdies, another bogey on the final hole meant he missed the cut by just one stroke.
Scores after round two of the Australian PGA Championship, presented by Coca-Cola, being played at the par 72, 6,114-metres (6.686-yard) Palmer Coolum Resort course:
134 - Daniel Popovic (AUS) 64-70, Zhang Xin Jun (CHN) 67-67.
136 - Geoff Ogilvy (AUS) 67-69, Matthew Griffin (AUS) 69-67.
137 - Mathew Goggin (AUS) 71-66, Steven Bowditch (AUS) 70-67, Brad Kennedy (AUS) 69-68.
138 - Rod Pampling (AUS) 71-67, Peter Senior (AUS) 68-70.
139 - Stephen Leaney (AUS) 69-70, Steve Conran (AUS) 69-70, Matthew Millar (AUS) 73-66, Richard Green (AUS) 71-68, Darren Clarke (NIR) 70-69, Leigh McKechnie (AUS) 70-69, Jason Kang (USA) 70-69, Kurt Barnes (AUS) 74-65, Scott Strange (AUS) 66-73, Marc Leishman (AUS) 69-70, Jamie Arnold (AUS) 71-68.
Selected:
146 - Rory Hie (INA) 71-75.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Medal Of Medal Golf Tournament At Pakuwon
Pakuwon Golf & Family Club is organizing the following activity:
| Title | : Medal Of Medal Golf Tournament |
| Day/Date | : Saturday, 15th December 2012 |
| Tee-off Time | : 07 am |
Participation Fee for this Golf Event
| Category | |
| Member | : Rp. 332.000 |
| Non Member | : Rp. 415.000 |
| Format | : Individual Stroke Play (Hcp format 36) |
| Flights | : Flight A & B |
Trophies:
| Overall : | BEST GROSS BEST NET |
| FLIGHT A : | BEST GROSS BEST NET |
| FLIGHT B : | BEST GROSS BEST NET |
| NEAREST TO THE PIN | |
Course Prizes:
| Hole In One | : Motor, 1 Year Individual Pakuwon Golf Membership |
| On The Green | : 1000 Driving range Ball Hire |
| Bull’s Eye Game | : 4 WE Green Fee voucher |
| Birdie Point | : 4 WD Green Fee voucher |
| Hole in One | : Motor Kawazaki |
Lunch:
| Day/Date | : Saturday, 15th December 2012 |
| Time | : 10 am |
| Venue | : Palms Cafe |
Senior Wins Emirates Australian Open
SYDNEY, Dec. 9 - Veteran Peter Senior gave his younger opponents a lesson in how to play in the wind on Sunday en-route to winning the Emirates Australian Open by a stroke at The lakes Golf Club in Sydney.
The 53-year-old shot rounds of 75, 68, 69 and an even-par 72 to finish the A$1.5 million OneAsia tournament at four under and claim his country's national open for a second time.
He earned A$225,000 for the win.
On a day fierce winds forced a suspension for over three hours and only six players broke par, Brendan Jones went one under to finish alone in second place.
Cameron Percy (73) was a stroke further behind, followed by Kim Felton (72), Kieran Pratt (75) and Justin Rose (76).
"It was one of the toughest days I have seen on a golf course," said Senior, who first won the title in 1989 as a 30-year-old.
"When the conditions are that tough, I feel that half the guys are out of the competition because they think it is going to be too difficult."
Although he now plays mostly on the U.S. Champions Tour, Senior has found his second win since re-applying himself to the sport after taking a sabbatical.
"I took quite a bit of time off between 42 and 48 and spent quite a bit of time at home," he said. "But I really felt like I wanted to play again. It is a game I still enjoy."
That enjoyment has also brought success.
Two years ago Senior won the Australian PGA Championship for a third time, and he will be back at Palmer Coolum Resort next week to have another crack at the title, which is the final event on both OneAsia and the PGA Tour of Australasia.
Senior had his son, Mitch, on his bag on Sunday, and dedicated the victory to him.
"We’ve been close over in America. We’ve lost three play-offs and come pretty close in a few other events. Just once I would like to say, 'well done mate, we’ve done it'."
Nevertheless, Senior did not expect to be winning at his age.
"I’m getting a bit long in the tooth now. If the conditions were good, the really good players would have shone this week. These are the conditions I thrive in where I just battle it out."
John Senden, who took an overnight lead into the final round for a second year in a row, had a miserable time on Sunday, dropping two shots on the first hole and finishing with an 82.
Playing partner Rose, the world number four and top ranked player in the field, saw his chances slip away with two bogeys in the last three holes.
Still, Senior praised his younger competitors.
"Justin Rose and the other guys are great players. Not for one moment do I think I am as good as those guys," he said.
"Winning golf tournaments, you need to have a good week at the right time. I’ve had a good week where I got it done."
Senior wasn't the only veteran to shine on Sunday. American Tom Watson, whose five Open Championships are testimony to the 63-year-old's ability to play in tough conditions, shot a 69 for the round of the day on what is likely to be his last tournament in Australia.
Indonesia's no. 1 player Rory Hie finished the tournament with a round of 76. His total of 293 put him in a share of 28th, together with the likes of Tom Watson, Liang Wenchong and Andre Stolz.
OneAsia moves to Coolum next week with the Order of Merit title still up for grabs.
Korean Kim Bi-o leads the race, but Australians Nick Cullen or Matthew Griffin could snatch it with a second victory of the season.
Scores after round four of the Emirates Australian Open being played at the par 72,6,290-metre (6,879-yard) The Lakes Golf Club (am- denotes amateur):
284 - Peter Senior (AUS) 75-68-69-72.
285 - Brendan Jones (AUS) 68-71-75-71.
286 - Cameron Percy (AUS) 72-69-72-73.
287 - Kim Felton (AUS) 68-75-72-72, Kieran Pratt (AUS) 71-71-70-75, Justin Rose (ENG) 68-73-70-76.
288 - Michael Hendry (NZL) 72-71-74-71, Scott Gardiner (AUS) 76-71-68-73, Stuart Appleby (AUS) 70-73-70-75.
289 - Brett Rumford (AUS) 73-69-75-72, Nick O'Hern (AUS) 71-73-73-72, Rodney Pampling (AUS) 74-69-73-73, Matthew Jones (AUS) 71-72-69-77.
290 - Cameron Smith (am, AUS) 72-74-69-75, Steven Jones (AUS) 73-68-73-76, Mathew Goggin (AUS) 71-70-73-76, Adam Scott (AUS) 72-71-71-76.
291 - Nick Flanagan (AUS) 69-76-74-72, Jamie Arnold (AUS) 72-72-72-75, Matthew Stieger (AUS) 73-71-71-76, Nick Cullen (AUS) 70-70-74-77, John Senden (AUS) 66-73-70-82.
292 - Alistair Presnell (AUS) 75-72-71-74, Matthew Griffin (AUS) 75-69-71-77, Geoff Ogilvy (AUS) 74-71-70-77, Greg Chalmers (AUS) 71-75-69-77, Matthew Millar (AUS) 74-71-69-78.
293 - Tom Watson (USA) 78-68-78-69, Stephen Allan (AUS) 69-73-80-71, James McLean (AUS) 72-72-75-74, Rory Hie (INA) 73-69-75-76, David Bransdon (AUS) 74-73-70-76, Timothy Wood (AUS) 70-74-72-77, Liang Wenchong (CHN) 73-71-72-77, Scott Laycock (AUS) 76-69-71-77, Stephen Leaney (AUS) 75-69-71-78, Andre Stolz (AUS) 72-71-71-79, Kyle Stanley (USA) 72-71-70-80.
The 53-year-old shot rounds of 75, 68, 69 and an even-par 72 to finish the A$1.5 million OneAsia tournament at four under and claim his country's national open for a second time.
He earned A$225,000 for the win.
On a day fierce winds forced a suspension for over three hours and only six players broke par, Brendan Jones went one under to finish alone in second place.
Cameron Percy (73) was a stroke further behind, followed by Kim Felton (72), Kieran Pratt (75) and Justin Rose (76).
"It was one of the toughest days I have seen on a golf course," said Senior, who first won the title in 1989 as a 30-year-old.
"When the conditions are that tough, I feel that half the guys are out of the competition because they think it is going to be too difficult."
Although he now plays mostly on the U.S. Champions Tour, Senior has found his second win since re-applying himself to the sport after taking a sabbatical.
"I took quite a bit of time off between 42 and 48 and spent quite a bit of time at home," he said. "But I really felt like I wanted to play again. It is a game I still enjoy."
That enjoyment has also brought success.
Two years ago Senior won the Australian PGA Championship for a third time, and he will be back at Palmer Coolum Resort next week to have another crack at the title, which is the final event on both OneAsia and the PGA Tour of Australasia.
Senior had his son, Mitch, on his bag on Sunday, and dedicated the victory to him.
"We’ve been close over in America. We’ve lost three play-offs and come pretty close in a few other events. Just once I would like to say, 'well done mate, we’ve done it'."
Nevertheless, Senior did not expect to be winning at his age.
"I’m getting a bit long in the tooth now. If the conditions were good, the really good players would have shone this week. These are the conditions I thrive in where I just battle it out."
John Senden, who took an overnight lead into the final round for a second year in a row, had a miserable time on Sunday, dropping two shots on the first hole and finishing with an 82.
Playing partner Rose, the world number four and top ranked player in the field, saw his chances slip away with two bogeys in the last three holes.
Still, Senior praised his younger competitors.
"Justin Rose and the other guys are great players. Not for one moment do I think I am as good as those guys," he said.
"Winning golf tournaments, you need to have a good week at the right time. I’ve had a good week where I got it done."
Senior wasn't the only veteran to shine on Sunday. American Tom Watson, whose five Open Championships are testimony to the 63-year-old's ability to play in tough conditions, shot a 69 for the round of the day on what is likely to be his last tournament in Australia.
Indonesia's no. 1 player Rory Hie finished the tournament with a round of 76. His total of 293 put him in a share of 28th, together with the likes of Tom Watson, Liang Wenchong and Andre Stolz.
OneAsia moves to Coolum next week with the Order of Merit title still up for grabs.
Korean Kim Bi-o leads the race, but Australians Nick Cullen or Matthew Griffin could snatch it with a second victory of the season.
Scores after round four of the Emirates Australian Open being played at the par 72,6,290-metre (6,879-yard) The Lakes Golf Club (am- denotes amateur):
284 - Peter Senior (AUS) 75-68-69-72.
285 - Brendan Jones (AUS) 68-71-75-71.
286 - Cameron Percy (AUS) 72-69-72-73.
287 - Kim Felton (AUS) 68-75-72-72, Kieran Pratt (AUS) 71-71-70-75, Justin Rose (ENG) 68-73-70-76.
288 - Michael Hendry (NZL) 72-71-74-71, Scott Gardiner (AUS) 76-71-68-73, Stuart Appleby (AUS) 70-73-70-75.
289 - Brett Rumford (AUS) 73-69-75-72, Nick O'Hern (AUS) 71-73-73-72, Rodney Pampling (AUS) 74-69-73-73, Matthew Jones (AUS) 71-72-69-77.
290 - Cameron Smith (am, AUS) 72-74-69-75, Steven Jones (AUS) 73-68-73-76, Mathew Goggin (AUS) 71-70-73-76, Adam Scott (AUS) 72-71-71-76.
291 - Nick Flanagan (AUS) 69-76-74-72, Jamie Arnold (AUS) 72-72-72-75, Matthew Stieger (AUS) 73-71-71-76, Nick Cullen (AUS) 70-70-74-77, John Senden (AUS) 66-73-70-82.
292 - Alistair Presnell (AUS) 75-72-71-74, Matthew Griffin (AUS) 75-69-71-77, Geoff Ogilvy (AUS) 74-71-70-77, Greg Chalmers (AUS) 71-75-69-77, Matthew Millar (AUS) 74-71-69-78.
293 - Tom Watson (USA) 78-68-78-69, Stephen Allan (AUS) 69-73-80-71, James McLean (AUS) 72-72-75-74, Rory Hie (INA) 73-69-75-76, David Bransdon (AUS) 74-73-70-76, Timothy Wood (AUS) 70-74-72-77, Liang Wenchong (CHN) 73-71-72-77, Scott Laycock (AUS) 76-69-71-77, Stephen Leaney (AUS) 75-69-71-78, Andre Stolz (AUS) 72-71-71-79, Kyle Stanley (USA) 72-71-70-80.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Rory Hie Drops Back At Emirates Australian Open
SYDNEY, Dec. 8 - Former champion John Senden could be forgiven the feeling of déjà vu after firing a two-under-par 70 on Saturday for a two-stroke lead going into the final round of the Emirates Australian Open at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney.
The PGA Tour regular, who won his national open in 2006, led going into the final round of last year's tournament but was pipped at the post by countryman Greg Chalmers and lost by a shot.
Senden's tournament total of 209 leaves him at seven under, with England's Justin Rose (70) two strokes behind and Australians Matthew Jones (69), Peter Senior (69) and Kieran Pratt (70) a shot further back.
The wind played havoc with the field at the A$1.25 million OneAsia event on Saturday -- particularly for the late starters -- and putting became treacherous on the baked greens.
"You have to be able to control the ball any time you play golf, but in these conditions you have to rely on your game -- especially distance control in cross winds and into the breeze," said Senden.
"It got very dry -- especially the 18th green -- and the 14th green was quite dry around the hole. It had nothing to do with the set up or what they had done early in the morning, it is the wind."
Senden's round was ignited after a sluggish start by an eagle on the 528-metre (577-yard) par-five 11th when a sweetly struck three wood left him with a 10 footer.
"All the par fives are risk-reward," he said. "I took a risk there and pulled it off."
The tall Queenslander, whose consistency since finishing joint 10th at this year's U.S. Open has propelled him into the world's top 50, will be paired with Rose on Sunday, who feels anyone can win if the conditions stay the same.
"One or two shots don’t make much difference," said Rose, the marquee attraction at the penultimate tournament on both the OneAsia and PGA Tour of Australasia calendars.
"The wind is going to switch and blow just as hard. The last man standing could win the golf tournament. I think it is going to be a battle."
Rose's only other appearance at the Australian Open came 13 years ago, shortly after he turned professional and in the middle of a miserable run of 21 missed cuts.
Now the world number four, he feels he has the experience to win the tournament.
"I have been in contention quite a lot this year and I am beginning to feel comfortable with it and enjoy it … relish it," he said.
"The Australian guys will be more familiar with these conditions, but I definitely feel good about my chances. The first three days are all about putting yourself in position to have a good chance and I think that is exactly what I have done."
Overnight leader Marcus Fraser dropped four shots on Saturday and goes into the final round at two under despite an eagle on the par-five 14th. Home favourite Adam Scott, the 2009 champion, shot 71 and is also two under.
Three of this year's OneAsia winners are still not out of it and determined to do well with the Order of Merit race to be decided at the Australian PGA Championship next week.
Australian Nick Cullen, winner of the Indonesia Open earlier this year, is two under after a third round 74, countryman Matt Griffin (71), who won the Charity High1 Resort Open is at one under, and Liang Wenchong (72), the Nanshan China Masters champion, is level par.
Indonesian Rory Hie couldn't maintain Friday's progress and finished the day with a 75 for a total 1 over.
Defending champion Greg Chalmers (69) is one under, while American veteran Tom Watson has yo-yoed around in 78, 68 and 78.
Scores after round three of the Emirates Australian Open being played at the par 72,6,290-metre (6,879-yard) The Lakes Golf Club (a- denotes amateur):
209 - John Senden (AUS) 66-73-70.
211 - Justin Rose (ENG) 68-73-70.
212 - Matthew Jones (AUS) 71-72-69, Peter Senior (AUS) 75-68-69, Kieran Pratt (AUS) 71-71-70.
213 - Stuart Appleby (AUS) 70-73-70, Kyle Stanley (USA) 72-71-70, Cameron Percy (AUS) 72-69-72.
214 - Matthew Millar (AUS) 74-71-69, Adam Scott (AUS) 72-71-71, Josh Geary (NZL) 70-73-71, Andre Stolz (AUS) 72-71-71, Mathew Goggin (AUS) 71-70-73, Steven Jones (AUS) 73-68-73, Nick Cullen (AUS) 70-70-74, Brendan Jones (AUS) 68-71-75, Marcus Fraser (AUS) 69-69-76.
215 - Scott Gardiner (AUS) 76-71-68, Cameron Smith (am, AUS) 72-74-69, Greg Chalmers (AUS) 71-75-69, Geoff Ogilvy (AUS) 74-71-70, Stephen Leaney (AUS) 75-69-71, Matthew Stieger (AUS) 73-71-71, Matthew Griffin (AUS) 75-69-71, Kim Felton (AUS) 68-75-72, Gareth Paddison (NZL) 68-73-74.
216 - Scott Laycock (AUS) 76-69-71, Liang Wenchong (CHN) 73-71-72, Timothy Wood (AUS) 70-74-72, Jamie Arnold (AUS) 72-72-72, Daniel Popovic (AUS) 71-73-72, Rodney Pampling (AUS) 74-69-73.
217 - James Nitties (AUS) 77-71-69, David Bransdon (AUS) 74-73-70, Nick O'Hern (AUS) 71-73-73, Michael Hendry (NZL) 72-71-74, Brett Rumford (AUS) 73-69-75, Rory Hie (INA) 73-69-75, Richard Green (AUS) 68-73-76.
The PGA Tour regular, who won his national open in 2006, led going into the final round of last year's tournament but was pipped at the post by countryman Greg Chalmers and lost by a shot.
Senden's tournament total of 209 leaves him at seven under, with England's Justin Rose (70) two strokes behind and Australians Matthew Jones (69), Peter Senior (69) and Kieran Pratt (70) a shot further back.
The wind played havoc with the field at the A$1.25 million OneAsia event on Saturday -- particularly for the late starters -- and putting became treacherous on the baked greens.
"You have to be able to control the ball any time you play golf, but in these conditions you have to rely on your game -- especially distance control in cross winds and into the breeze," said Senden.
"It got very dry -- especially the 18th green -- and the 14th green was quite dry around the hole. It had nothing to do with the set up or what they had done early in the morning, it is the wind."
Senden's round was ignited after a sluggish start by an eagle on the 528-metre (577-yard) par-five 11th when a sweetly struck three wood left him with a 10 footer.
"All the par fives are risk-reward," he said. "I took a risk there and pulled it off."
The tall Queenslander, whose consistency since finishing joint 10th at this year's U.S. Open has propelled him into the world's top 50, will be paired with Rose on Sunday, who feels anyone can win if the conditions stay the same.
"One or two shots don’t make much difference," said Rose, the marquee attraction at the penultimate tournament on both the OneAsia and PGA Tour of Australasia calendars.
"The wind is going to switch and blow just as hard. The last man standing could win the golf tournament. I think it is going to be a battle."
Rose's only other appearance at the Australian Open came 13 years ago, shortly after he turned professional and in the middle of a miserable run of 21 missed cuts.
Now the world number four, he feels he has the experience to win the tournament.
"I have been in contention quite a lot this year and I am beginning to feel comfortable with it and enjoy it … relish it," he said.
"The Australian guys will be more familiar with these conditions, but I definitely feel good about my chances. The first three days are all about putting yourself in position to have a good chance and I think that is exactly what I have done."
Overnight leader Marcus Fraser dropped four shots on Saturday and goes into the final round at two under despite an eagle on the par-five 14th. Home favourite Adam Scott, the 2009 champion, shot 71 and is also two under.
Three of this year's OneAsia winners are still not out of it and determined to do well with the Order of Merit race to be decided at the Australian PGA Championship next week.
Australian Nick Cullen, winner of the Indonesia Open earlier this year, is two under after a third round 74, countryman Matt Griffin (71), who won the Charity High1 Resort Open is at one under, and Liang Wenchong (72), the Nanshan China Masters champion, is level par.
Indonesian Rory Hie couldn't maintain Friday's progress and finished the day with a 75 for a total 1 over.
Defending champion Greg Chalmers (69) is one under, while American veteran Tom Watson has yo-yoed around in 78, 68 and 78.
Scores after round three of the Emirates Australian Open being played at the par 72,6,290-metre (6,879-yard) The Lakes Golf Club (a- denotes amateur):
209 - John Senden (AUS) 66-73-70.
211 - Justin Rose (ENG) 68-73-70.
212 - Matthew Jones (AUS) 71-72-69, Peter Senior (AUS) 75-68-69, Kieran Pratt (AUS) 71-71-70.
213 - Stuart Appleby (AUS) 70-73-70, Kyle Stanley (USA) 72-71-70, Cameron Percy (AUS) 72-69-72.
214 - Matthew Millar (AUS) 74-71-69, Adam Scott (AUS) 72-71-71, Josh Geary (NZL) 70-73-71, Andre Stolz (AUS) 72-71-71, Mathew Goggin (AUS) 71-70-73, Steven Jones (AUS) 73-68-73, Nick Cullen (AUS) 70-70-74, Brendan Jones (AUS) 68-71-75, Marcus Fraser (AUS) 69-69-76.
215 - Scott Gardiner (AUS) 76-71-68, Cameron Smith (am, AUS) 72-74-69, Greg Chalmers (AUS) 71-75-69, Geoff Ogilvy (AUS) 74-71-70, Stephen Leaney (AUS) 75-69-71, Matthew Stieger (AUS) 73-71-71, Matthew Griffin (AUS) 75-69-71, Kim Felton (AUS) 68-75-72, Gareth Paddison (NZL) 68-73-74.
216 - Scott Laycock (AUS) 76-69-71, Liang Wenchong (CHN) 73-71-72, Timothy Wood (AUS) 70-74-72, Jamie Arnold (AUS) 72-72-72, Daniel Popovic (AUS) 71-73-72, Rodney Pampling (AUS) 74-69-73.
217 - James Nitties (AUS) 77-71-69, David Bransdon (AUS) 74-73-70, Nick O'Hern (AUS) 71-73-73, Michael Hendry (NZL) 72-71-74, Brett Rumford (AUS) 73-69-75, Rory Hie (INA) 73-69-75, Richard Green (AUS) 68-73-76.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Rory Hie Climbs The Ranks At Emirates Australian Open
SYDNEY, Dec. 7 - Marcus Fraser fired a second successive three-under-par 69 on Friday for one-shot lead going into the weekend at the Emirates Australian Open at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney.
Overnight leader John Senden was one over for the day and five under for the tournament in second place with Brendan Jones (68, 71), while a fourth Australian, Nick Cullen (70, 70), was a further shot back.
Two years ago Fraser was told he would never play again unless he underwent a neck operation, but he showed he had fully recovered with five birdies and two bogeys around the the 6,290-metre (6,879-yard) course.
The A$1.25 million tournament, co-sanctioned by OneAsia and the PGA Tour of Australasia, is the penultimate event for both.
"If I hadn't had the operation there is no way I would have played again -- no chance at all," said Fraser, "so it was a pretty easy decision to make."
"He replaced a disc in my neck -- put an artificial one in there, a carbon-fibre cage around the disc and also a metal plate. Just a pretty basic operation …".
Fraser has played seven weeks in-a-row -- including a failed bid to earn his U.S. PGA Tour card at Q-School -- but the European Tour regular still has a spring in his step.
His tournament actually came alive in the first round at the 11th when he found himself three over for the tournament and already thinking of a flight home to Melbourne.
He birdied the next four holes -- and then aced the par-three 15th -- to ignite his round, and continued the good work on Friday.
"It turned the tournament right around," said Fraser. "Hopefully we can keep the momentum going into the weekend."
The morning starters had the best of the conditions on Friday with the stiff afternoon wind playing havoc with any lofted shot and also further drying the slick green.
Marquee attraction Justin Rose, the world's number four, struggled to a 73 and a share of fifth place, while Adam Scott (71) bettered his opening round by one to stand five shots off the pace.
Indonesia's Rory Hie climbed up the leader board until his last hole, the par-three ninth, when an errant tee shot followed by a mis-hit chip to a tricky ridge left him with a double bogey for a 69 and two under for the tournament.
"I'm pretty happy with what I've done so far and hopefully the next two days will get even better," said Hie.
Veteran American Tom Watson, who won the Australian Open in 1984 -- the year after collecting the last of his eight Majors -- shot 68 on Friday, ten strokes better than his opening round, to comfortably make a cut set at plus four.
Third-placed Cullen, winner of OneAsia's Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open earlier this year, could still win the tour's Order of Merit with a strong finish here and at the final event of the season, next week's Australian PGA Championship.
Fellow Australian Matt Griffin, who won the Charity High1 Resort Open, and China"s Liang Wenchong, the Nanshan China Masters winner, are also in the hunt as they go into the weekend at level par.
Defending champion Greg Chalmers is two over for the tournament with it all to do at the weekend.
Scores after round two of the Emirates Australian Open being played at the par 72, 6,290-metre The Lakes GC course:
138 - Marcus Fraser (AUS) 69-69.
139 - Brendan Jones (AUS) 68-71, John Senden (AUS) 66-73.
140 - Nick Cullen (AUS) 70-70.
141 - Steven Jones (AUS) 73-68, Mathew Goggin (AUS) 71-70, Justin Rose (ENG) 68-73, Gareth Paddison (NZL) 68-73, Richard Green (AUS) 68-73, Cameron Percy (AUS) 72-69.
142 - Rory Hie (INA) 73-69, Marc Leishman (AUS) 70-72, Kieran Pratt (AUS) 71-71, Brett Rumford (AUS) 73-69, Stephen Allan (AUS) 69-73.
Overnight leader John Senden was one over for the day and five under for the tournament in second place with Brendan Jones (68, 71), while a fourth Australian, Nick Cullen (70, 70), was a further shot back.
Two years ago Fraser was told he would never play again unless he underwent a neck operation, but he showed he had fully recovered with five birdies and two bogeys around the the 6,290-metre (6,879-yard) course.
The A$1.25 million tournament, co-sanctioned by OneAsia and the PGA Tour of Australasia, is the penultimate event for both.
"If I hadn't had the operation there is no way I would have played again -- no chance at all," said Fraser, "so it was a pretty easy decision to make."
"He replaced a disc in my neck -- put an artificial one in there, a carbon-fibre cage around the disc and also a metal plate. Just a pretty basic operation …".
Fraser has played seven weeks in-a-row -- including a failed bid to earn his U.S. PGA Tour card at Q-School -- but the European Tour regular still has a spring in his step.
His tournament actually came alive in the first round at the 11th when he found himself three over for the tournament and already thinking of a flight home to Melbourne.
He birdied the next four holes -- and then aced the par-three 15th -- to ignite his round, and continued the good work on Friday.
"It turned the tournament right around," said Fraser. "Hopefully we can keep the momentum going into the weekend."
The morning starters had the best of the conditions on Friday with the stiff afternoon wind playing havoc with any lofted shot and also further drying the slick green.
Marquee attraction Justin Rose, the world's number four, struggled to a 73 and a share of fifth place, while Adam Scott (71) bettered his opening round by one to stand five shots off the pace.
Indonesia's Rory Hie climbed up the leader board until his last hole, the par-three ninth, when an errant tee shot followed by a mis-hit chip to a tricky ridge left him with a double bogey for a 69 and two under for the tournament.
"I'm pretty happy with what I've done so far and hopefully the next two days will get even better," said Hie.
Veteran American Tom Watson, who won the Australian Open in 1984 -- the year after collecting the last of his eight Majors -- shot 68 on Friday, ten strokes better than his opening round, to comfortably make a cut set at plus four.
Third-placed Cullen, winner of OneAsia's Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open earlier this year, could still win the tour's Order of Merit with a strong finish here and at the final event of the season, next week's Australian PGA Championship.
Fellow Australian Matt Griffin, who won the Charity High1 Resort Open, and China"s Liang Wenchong, the Nanshan China Masters winner, are also in the hunt as they go into the weekend at level par.
Defending champion Greg Chalmers is two over for the tournament with it all to do at the weekend.
Scores after round two of the Emirates Australian Open being played at the par 72, 6,290-metre The Lakes GC course:
138 - Marcus Fraser (AUS) 69-69.
139 - Brendan Jones (AUS) 68-71, John Senden (AUS) 66-73.
140 - Nick Cullen (AUS) 70-70.
141 - Steven Jones (AUS) 73-68, Mathew Goggin (AUS) 71-70, Justin Rose (ENG) 68-73, Gareth Paddison (NZL) 68-73, Richard Green (AUS) 68-73, Cameron Percy (AUS) 72-69.
142 - Rory Hie (INA) 73-69, Marc Leishman (AUS) 70-72, Kieran Pratt (AUS) 71-71, Brett Rumford (AUS) 73-69, Stephen Allan (AUS) 69-73.
Monday, December 3, 2012
National Junior Golf Championship 2012
In order to improve the performance of junior golfers (boys/girls) nationally, the Indonesian Golf Federation (PB PGI) will hold the "National Junior Golf Championship 2012", which results will be included in the calculation for points in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) of the R&A on:
Date: 26 - 28 December 2012
Place: Jagorawi Golf & Country Club (New Course)
All junior golfers (boys and girls) from all over Indonesia who have not reached their 18th birthday on December 28, 2012 (except exhibition class) are eligible to participate in this championship.
For more information and online registration, please register through the official website of PB PGI at www.pbpgi.org.
Registration will close 14 December 2012, or sooner when all slots are taken.
Date: 26 - 28 December 2012
Place: Jagorawi Golf & Country Club (New Course)
| BOYS & GIRLS | Age | Max Course H'cap |
| AB & AG | 15-17 years | 15 down |
| BB & BG | 12-14 years | 18 down |
| CB & CG | 10-11 years | 22 down |
| Exhibition (ABE & AGE) | 18 - 21 years |
All junior golfers (boys and girls) from all over Indonesia who have not reached their 18th birthday on December 28, 2012 (except exhibition class) are eligible to participate in this championship.
For more information and online registration, please register through the official website of PB PGI at www.pbpgi.org.
Registration will close 14 December 2012, or sooner when all slots are taken.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Rory Hie Helps Asian Pacific In Victory Over China At Dongfeng Nissan Cup
SHENZHEN, China, Dec 2 - An Asia-Pacific select side rallied from behind with a string of powerful singles performances on Sunday to beat Team China 14 1/2 - 9 1/2 in the Ryder Cup-style Dongfeng Nissan Cup at the CTS Tycoon Club in Shenzhen, China.
Trailing 7-5 after the fourball and foursome rounds, the Asia-Pacific team won nine and halved one of the 12 singles matches to retain the trophy they claimed at the inaugural OneAsia event last year.
China's sole victories on the final day came from veteran Zhang Lianwei, considered the father of professional golf in the country, and Liang Wenchong, who succeeded him as the mainland's best and most successful player.
ut it was left to the next generation to lead the way on Sunday when China sent out 14-year-old amateur sensation Guan Tianlang in the first singles match against New Zealander Mark Brown -- who was winning tournaments before his young opponent was even born.
"He certainly has a future," Brown said after securing a 2 & 1 victory against Guan, who next year will be the youngest ever player to compete in the U.S. Masters having secured a spot by virtue of winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur championship last month.
"He plays so well that it's easy to forget just how young he is."
China has invested heavily in pulling together a national squad to fly the flag in Brazil when golf makes a return to the Olympic Games at Rio de Janeiro in 2016, and their Dongfeng Nissan players form the backbone of that squad.
Newly named Olympic captain Liang Wenchong led by example and raced five-up against fellow OneAsia Order of Merit winner Andre Stolz before taking his foot off the gas and easing out a 3 & 1 winner.
In the third pair it was Indonesia's Rory Hie, who hadn't been able to contribute points on the first 2 days in the foursomes and four balls, against Ouyang Zhang. Even though Rory was 2 shots behind after just 6 holes, this didn't make him loose his concentration, as he was back at all square before the turn. After losing again on the 10th hole, he eventually took control of the match with 3 consecutive points on holes 11-14 to finish his game 2 & 1.
Jin Daxing managed to squeeze a half for China against Choo Tze Huang in the fourth match, but from then it was a procession in blue -- summed up by Jason Kang's 6 & 5 victory against Yuan Hao.
The biggest win of the day, however, belonged to the veteran Zhang, who was shaking hands on the 12th against Soushi Tajima after winning 7 & 5.
It was left to Asia-Pacific playing vice-captain Scott Laycock -- who didn't lose a match all weekend -- to wrap up the proceedings against Zhang Xinjun with a birdie putt on the 18th for a one-up victory.
"I am very proud of the way the players came together on the final day," said Asia-Pacific captain Peter Thomson, the legendary five-time Open Championship winner and the first Australian to be inducted in world golf's Hall of Fame.
"I wasn't sure we would be able to pull if off after the first two rounds, but the players buckled down and showed great character in the singles."
China captain Wang Jun said he was disappointed, but said the team would learn from the defeat.
"I hope we can come back stronger and next year score our first victory." Result
Asia-Pacific 14 1/2, China 9 1/2
Singles (Chinese names first): Guan Tianlang (A) lost to Mark Brown (2&1), Liang Wenchong beat Andre Stolz (3&1), Ouyang Zheng lost to Rory Hie (2&1), Jin Daxing halved with Choo Tze Huang, Zhou Guowu lost to Nicholas Fung (one up), Yuan Tian lost to Yosuke Tsukada (4&3), Wu Weihuang lost to Michael Long (3&2), Wu Kangchun lost to Wisut Artjanawat (3&2), Han Ren lost to Choi Jin-ho (3&2), Yuan Hao lost to Jason Kang (6&5), Zhang Lianwei beat Soshi Tajima (7&6), Zhang Xinjun Scott Laycock.
Trailing 7-5 after the fourball and foursome rounds, the Asia-Pacific team won nine and halved one of the 12 singles matches to retain the trophy they claimed at the inaugural OneAsia event last year.
China's sole victories on the final day came from veteran Zhang Lianwei, considered the father of professional golf in the country, and Liang Wenchong, who succeeded him as the mainland's best and most successful player.
ut it was left to the next generation to lead the way on Sunday when China sent out 14-year-old amateur sensation Guan Tianlang in the first singles match against New Zealander Mark Brown -- who was winning tournaments before his young opponent was even born.
"He certainly has a future," Brown said after securing a 2 & 1 victory against Guan, who next year will be the youngest ever player to compete in the U.S. Masters having secured a spot by virtue of winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur championship last month.
"He plays so well that it's easy to forget just how young he is."
China has invested heavily in pulling together a national squad to fly the flag in Brazil when golf makes a return to the Olympic Games at Rio de Janeiro in 2016, and their Dongfeng Nissan players form the backbone of that squad.
Newly named Olympic captain Liang Wenchong led by example and raced five-up against fellow OneAsia Order of Merit winner Andre Stolz before taking his foot off the gas and easing out a 3 & 1 winner.
In the third pair it was Indonesia's Rory Hie, who hadn't been able to contribute points on the first 2 days in the foursomes and four balls, against Ouyang Zhang. Even though Rory was 2 shots behind after just 6 holes, this didn't make him loose his concentration, as he was back at all square before the turn. After losing again on the 10th hole, he eventually took control of the match with 3 consecutive points on holes 11-14 to finish his game 2 & 1.
Jin Daxing managed to squeeze a half for China against Choo Tze Huang in the fourth match, but from then it was a procession in blue -- summed up by Jason Kang's 6 & 5 victory against Yuan Hao.
The biggest win of the day, however, belonged to the veteran Zhang, who was shaking hands on the 12th against Soushi Tajima after winning 7 & 5.
It was left to Asia-Pacific playing vice-captain Scott Laycock -- who didn't lose a match all weekend -- to wrap up the proceedings against Zhang Xinjun with a birdie putt on the 18th for a one-up victory.
"I am very proud of the way the players came together on the final day," said Asia-Pacific captain Peter Thomson, the legendary five-time Open Championship winner and the first Australian to be inducted in world golf's Hall of Fame.
"I wasn't sure we would be able to pull if off after the first two rounds, but the players buckled down and showed great character in the singles."
China captain Wang Jun said he was disappointed, but said the team would learn from the defeat.
"I hope we can come back stronger and next year score our first victory." Result
Asia-Pacific 14 1/2, China 9 1/2
Singles (Chinese names first): Guan Tianlang (A) lost to Mark Brown (2&1), Liang Wenchong beat Andre Stolz (3&1), Ouyang Zheng lost to Rory Hie (2&1), Jin Daxing halved with Choo Tze Huang, Zhou Guowu lost to Nicholas Fung (one up), Yuan Tian lost to Yosuke Tsukada (4&3), Wu Weihuang lost to Michael Long (3&2), Wu Kangchun lost to Wisut Artjanawat (3&2), Han Ren lost to Choi Jin-ho (3&2), Yuan Hao lost to Jason Kang (6&5), Zhang Lianwei beat Soshi Tajima (7&6), Zhang Xinjun Scott Laycock.
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