Indah Setiawati, THE JAKARTA POST, BADUNG, BALI | Thu, 02/26/2009 9:03 AM
Indonesia’s hopeful Rory Hie is determined to make the cut and finish at the top 20 of the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open 2009 to be kicked off Thursday in the New Kuta Golf and Ocean View in Pecatu, Badung regency, Bali.
The 20-year-old golfer, who turned professional last October, said he was happy to play here as he would get an overwhelming support from the home crowds. He said he tried not to make it as a burden.
“It feels great. Playing at home is very special as a lot of people will support me. I’ll try not to think about the burden. I’ll just play my own game,” the champion of the Mercedes-Benz tour 2008 said Wednesday.
Rory, who ranked second in the world amateur list last year, said he believed his fellow countrymen would make the cut this year because four Indonesian golfers — pros Denny Supriadi, Ilyassyak, Maan Nasim and amateur Suprapto — made it through the cut last year.
Indonesia is fielding seven professional and six amateur golfers in the US$1.25 million event co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the Asian Tour.
The Indonesian Golf Association (PGI) is fielding an amateur pack of Fahmi Reza, Hari Budianto, Harjito, Ian Andrew, Suprapto and Ujang Zarem.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Professional Golf Association (PGPI) is deploying Agusnam, Maan Nasim, Ilyassyak, Junaidi Ibrahim and Sarmilih. Andik Mauludin, the winner of Man Amateur Open 2008, will make his debut as a professional in the tournament.
Talking about the golf course, Rory, who spent the last nine years in the United States and won several titles, said the front nine holes would be his best chance to score.
“I would try to get on par on the back nine while trying to gain as many birdies as I can on the front nine,” he said, particularly pointing to hole 14 that would be tough as it was going towards the sea and would be very windy.
Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, ranks 14th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and 87th in the world, said hole 17 as well as the greens would provide a challenge for most golfers, who play in the course for the first time.
“The greens are going to be tricky. The par-5 hole is challenging. On hole 17, the green is trickily sloping right to left. I will try my best,” he said, adding that iron game and putting was the key to handle the course.
US PGA Tour star Daniel Chopra of Sweden was upbeat to play in the 72-par golf course, which reminded him of Kapalua golf course in Hawaii and Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore.
Chopra is pleased to be back in a country where he spent most of his days as a junior golfer.
“Indonesia is probably the place I’ve spent the most time. So I always feel comfortable coming back here because I have so many great memories,” he said, as quoted by Associated Press.
“So I’m looking forward to the week, even though I’ve not been feeling that great. But hopefully the hot weather will sort out my sinuses.”
The four-day prestigious competition will feature 144 golfers from 30 countries, including defending champion Felipe Aguilar of Chile.
Aguilar said he was ready to retain his title as he was in a good form after a month of preparation in Marbella, Chile.
“Where I can take advantage is on the greens because it is very similar to the green at my house. So that could work in my favor,” said the 34 year-old, who was a joint-runner up with amateur Danny Lee of New Zealand in the latest Johnnie Walker Classic in Australia.
He said he would take a local caddy as he did in last year’s event at the Cengkareng Golf Club, west of Jakarta.
Related Article:
Bali champion: Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand proudly shows off his trophy after winning the Indonesia Open golf tournament at the New Kuta Golf Course in Pecatu on the resort island of Bali, Sunday.
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