Three-way lead in first day of Indonesia Open

Australians Anthony Brown and Michael Wright and Tsai Chi-huang of Taiwan are tied for the lead on Thursday in the first round of the US$1 million Indonesia Open golf tournament at Damai Indah Golf-Pantai Indah Kapuk Course.

Brown birdied seven times and bogeyed twice, Wright birdied eight and bogeyed three times, and Tsai produced five birdies for a tie at five under par 67.

“I did what I had to do and kept the ball on the fairway. I only missed two fairways. It was very tough
out there as it was windy, very humid and the fairways are narrow,” said Brown.

“It’s good to get a good first round in here as I started the year quite well, but over the past few months
I just have not been scoring well” said Brown, who turned professional in 2004.

The 36-year-old Wright said he is lucky to be sharing the lead.

“We started early today so I thought we would have a chance to get the best conditions but it was hard. I had a real up-and-down round. Thankfully my putter saved me.” said Wright.

His best finish as a pro was a fifth-place tie in last year’s Korean Open.

Tsai is also happy with his first day result.

“It is nice to be playing well at such a big event. It has been a long time. I didn’t make many mistakes but it took a lot of concentration,” said the 42-year-old.

Below the big three, two golfers — Hsieh Tung-shu of Taiwan and Ronald Harvey of Canada — tied for second with four under par, while An Hyun Woo of South Korea, Gary Simpson of Australia, and Ronald Harvey of Canada tied for third with three under par at 69.

In fourth place, Indonesian Jamal Ondo tied two under par 70 with six other players including Chinese number one and favorite Liang Wenchong.

Liang won the season-opening Luxehills in China in April and also claimed the tour’s Midea China Classic last year.

Indonesian amateur Ian Andrew scored a promising result by leveling on par 72, a better result than many of his senior colleagues.

The 18-year-old birdied at the third, fourth and sixth holes but bogeyed at the 11th.

Ian is confident he can make the cut during the second round.

“I am more confident and calm because I have played one or two amateur tournaments before this event so I prepared myself,” said the champion of the 2008 Enjoy Jakarta golf tournament.

“I need at least one or two birdies to be able to finish above the cut and I believe I can do it [Friday].”

Another Indonesian rising star, Beny Kasiadi, had a bad day and finished four strokes above par.

“I played poorly today. There were opportunity for birdies at several holes but I missed them,” said the 23-year-old who is playing first time as a professional in the tournament and caddied by his father, the great Indonesian golfer Kasiadi.

The tournament, sanctioned by One-Asia and the Indonesian Golf Association (PGI) features a record 35 Indonesian competitors.