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Suwannarut winner of BNI Indonesian Masters 2022 Presented by TNE, BNI Gives Appreciation
The excitement of the BNI Indonesian Masters 2022 Presented by TNE ended phenomenally.
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Founder of the Indonesian Masters and chairman of the Asian Tour Jimmy Masrin (left), president director of BNI Royke Tumilaar (second left), winner of the BNI Indonesian Masters 2022 Presented by TNE Sarit Suwannarut (second right) and chairman of TNE Jubilant Arda Harmidy pose for photos at the Prize Giving BNI Indonesian Masters 2022 Presented by TNE at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club in Halim, East Jakarta, on Sunday (4/12/2022). BNI acted as one of the main supporters, pushing BNI's Go Global branding. The bank is once again expanding the BNI International network, which currently has eight overseas outlets spread across various countries. (Courtesy of BNI Document)
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he excitement of the BNI Indonesian Masters 2022 Presented by TNE ended phenomenally. Sarit Suwannarut of Indiua came out as the winner, defeating many other international professional golfers. As the main sponsor, PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. (BNI showed its appreciation and reiterated its commitment to support the prestigious sport in the country.
The sporting event has attracted global attention and brought in many international golfers who wanted to participate. It also proved that Indonesian golfers are able to compete and showed their potential in bringing pride to Indonesia on the global stage.
Thai champion Sarit Suwannarut will also see his world ranking skyrocket, along with his success on this current tour, which is the closing event of the International Series. This week Suwannarut is ranked 827th in the world.
The Prize Giving event of the BNI Indonesian Masters 2022 Presented by TNE was attended by the founder of the Indonesian Masters and chairman of the Asian Tour Jimmy Masrin, president director of BNI Royke Tumilaar, chairman of PT Tunas Niaga Energi (TNE) Jubilant Arda Harmidy, commissioner and CEO of Asian Tour Cho Minn Thant and president director of the Royale Jakarta Golf Club Hendro Sutandi at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club in Halim, East Jakarta on Sunday (4/12/2022).
BNI main director Royke Tumilaar admitted that he was proud of the company's participation in this prestigious sporting event. The BNI Indonesian Masters is an event that has been eagerly awaited after two years of absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. BNI's participation as one of the main supporters of the Masters is to encourage BNI's Go Global branding. Currently, BNI has eight overseas outlets spread across various countries.
“It is an honor to be a part of the BNI Indonesian Masters. Especially during the pandemic, there are more and more people becoming golf lovers in Indonesia, and now is the time to present this interesting spectacle," he said.
Royke continued, the Indonesian Masters has high-class fans from the corporate and commercial world, which is BNI's target, in addition to the large number of regional television viewers. This also included the Indonesian and expatriate diaspora.
“We open up tremendous opportunities for companies to connect with our various clients in the global market. We do not forget to congratulate the winners of the BNI Indonesian Masters this year," said Royke.
This year's BNI Indonesian Masters Presented by TNE was attended by previous Indonesian Masters winners such as former world No. 1 golfer and Indonesian Masters champion 2011, 2012 and 2015 Lee Westwood,2013 Indonesian Masters champion Bernd Wiesberger, 2014 Indonesian Masters champion Anirban Birhir, 2016 and 2018 BNI Indonesian Masters champion Poom Saksansin and Jazz Janewattananond who was the 2019 BNI Indonesian Masters champion. In addition, this year's tournament was also attended by various international golfers, including the 2010 US Open major champion Graeme McDowell and LIV golfer Chase Koepka.
The BNI Indonesian Masters Ppresented by TNE tournament was broadcasted live across Asia via the TV platform of the Asian Tour, which was watched by more than 750 million families in more than 200 countries, and showcases Indonesia as a world golf destination to the international community.
The BNI Indonesian Masters Presented by TNE was attended by elite golfers from the Asian Tour and international players, as well as the best local players, who competed for a total prize pool of US$1.5 million.
This year, the tournament felt more prestigious as the total prize amount had increased from last year’s $750,000. This is inseparable from the status of the tournament as part of a series of tournaments entitled "International Series" this season.
Phenomenal performances from Sarit and Kevin Akbar
Sarit Suwannarut's stick swing showcased his phenomenal game. He was in second place in round two but continued progressing until finally he won a respectable position at the Indonesian Masters.
Throughout this tour, several big names like Lee Westwood, who had won three times previously, as well as several golfers who had won the BNI Indonesian Masters were left speechless by the action. This also included 2014 champion Anirban Born of India, 2016 and 2018 champion Poom Saksansin and 2019 champion Jazz Janewattananon.
A similar experience happened for world-class players like Erni Els, Mathiam Keyser and even Scott Vincent who is currently leading the order of merit.
Kevin Caesario Akbar, the only Indonesian representative to qualify for the cut-off at this year's Indonesian Masters, is in the overall ranking since the early rounds.
Kevin admitted that his game was still within the realm of what was expected. He emphasized the need to focus for every shot to secure optimal results.
Kevin also admitted that he was happy that BNI was again the main supporter of the Indonesian Masters.
"This is very beneficial for us local golfers. Playing in Indonesia gives golfers the opportunity to perform. I hope BNI will continue to provide support," commented Kevin.
In the last round, Kevin had four birdies, but scored five bogeys. As a result, he actually got one over par 73. He made birdies on holes 3, 7, 8 and 13. Meanwhile, bogeys occurred on holes 5, 6, 10, 15 and 18. In total he packed four under 284.
Kevin, who has been on the professional scene since 2019, admitted that he could actually do better. However, he failed several times in trying to save par, especially during the last nine holes. Nevertheless, he was pleased because as his putt hit went in, at least he increased his bogeys.
Kevin said physical fatigue was one of the problems. However, this was not a result of him not maintaining his fitness. He believed his travels from tour to tour drained his energy.
"Maintaining physical fitness is one of the factors that I have to pay close attention to, so that in the future it will no longer be an obstacle," said the golfer who was born on Feb. 24, 1998.
What is certain is that Kevin is very happy to appear at the BNI Indonesian Masters 2022. Apart from being on stage with world-class golfers, Kevin can also hone his skills even more. However, the son of Yudhi Mahriadi does not want to be stuck in the competition.
