"I'm not expecting too much because I'm not fully fit yet," the 21-year-old, who turned pro last year, said at a media conference before the tee off.

Rory is still recovering from a nagging eye problem and leg injury since his European Tour debut.

The US$60,000 tournament, co-sanctioned by the ASEAN Professional Golf Association and its Indonesian affiliate, the PGPI, features 116 golfers.

There are 66 local players, nine of them amateurs.

Besides competing for the tournament's cash prizes, the golfers are also seeking a result that will put them in the top 60 of the Mercedes-Benz Tour Order of Merit, which will qualify them for the $80,000 Mercedes-Benz Masters Vietnam in Hanoi on Nov. 11-14.

Torrential rain disrupted Wednesday's first round, leaving one of the 39 groups to finish its last two holes on Thursday.

Rory, who won last year's International Championship at the Imperial Golf Club for his first victory as a pro, faltered to a 1-over-par 73 to stay in 27th place with 12 other golfers.

Compatriots Sanusi and Andik Mauludin fared better, with Sanusi scoring 2-under (70) to sit in fourth place, while Andik carded a 1-under (71) for shared fifth place with Anis Helmi Hasan of Malaysia and Chawinroj Khaoprathum of Thailand.

Andik, who finished second to Rory at the Imperial and won the Indonesian Men's Amateur Open (IMAO) last year, turned pro in January. He is currently ranked 35th, while Rory is 14th in the Order of Merit after the B-ing Championships, the sixth series in the Tour, in Bangpra, Bangkok, in September.

The PGPI is urging local players to revel in the challenge.

"To expect Indonesians in finish first and second isn't silly," said PGPI secretary-general Agus Triyono.

"We also have Maan Nasim, Samilih K.Z. and Ilyasyak. There will surely be an Indonesian in the top 10. However, they face tough opponents from Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, who are more familiar with the pressure of international competition."

Ilyasyak and Maan Nasim, along with amateur Benny Kasiadi, carded even par for tied sixth place with three other players.

"We hope the amateurs can hone their skills and get the feel of international competition," Agus said.

Thailand's Kwanchai Tannin leads with 6-under (66), followed by compatriot Wisut Artjanawat with 4-under (68). Tied for third with 69 are Filipino Gene Bondac, Singaporean Quincy Quek and Thai Ronnachai Jamnong.

Mercedes-Benz Indonesia president and CEO Rudi Borgenheimer said the money prize would be increased next year, adding he hope Indonesia could host the finale of the eight-series year-long Mercedes-Benz Tour.

"We hope to draw more young people *to golf*," he said.

"A few years ago, there were only a few young professional Indonesian golfers. Most of the participants this year are young talents."

Among the contenders at Emeralda is 22-year-old Thai rising star Namchok Tantipokhakul, who won the Bangpra event to go second in the Order of Merit.

The tour's first six series have been played in Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore.

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