We are finally up and running at the Mandiri Indonesian Open!
After 2 very long years GolfplusoneMedia is finally back to provide our media coverage of a premier overseas golf tournament!
This groundbreaking event for us is the Mandiri Indonesian Open going on in Pondok Indah, Jakarta from Aug 4-7.
We will be posting our coverage here and on social media platforms.
Feel free to catch us on tournament updates here and “Behind the Scenes” footage on You Tube and Instagram.
Hong Kong’s impressive young amateur star Taichi Kho and Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat fired stunning bogey-free eight-under-par 64s to take the lead mid-way through the first round of the Mandiri Indonesia Open today at Pondok Indah Golf Course.
Kho, ranked 100th on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, sensationally took the lead in a professional event for the first time when he holed his third shot on the par-five ninth, which was his 18th, to join Itthipat at the top of the leaderboard. Preferred lies were used so their rounds could not go into the record books.
Itthipat’s illustrious compatriots Prayad Marksaeng and Chapchai Nirat shot 65s, while Tirawat Kaewsiribandit carded a 66.
Indonesian amateur Almay Rayhan Yagutah impressively flew the flag for the host nation with a 67, along with Chinese-Taipei’s Chang Wei-lun.
The US$500,000 event is the 11th stop of the season on the Asian Tour.
“It was great,” said Kho, whose father Victor is caddying for him.
“I was really happy with the way I played. I stuck to my game plan. I managed to hit some good shots on my back nine.
“On nine I was out of position off the tee, but I managed to get it back in play. I had 93 yards for my approach, I hit it really nice, but I did not expect it to go in.”
Kho, who plays his college golf at the University of Notre Dame, hit the headlines last year when he finished second in the Asian Amateur Championship.
“Eight birdies, no bogeys, wow!” said Itthipat.
“I could see the lines on the greens, and my caddie did as well. And I like the course, I have played well here before.”
He played in two LIV Golf Invitational events this year, in London and Portland, and feels he is a better player for the experience.
“I played with the big names and learned so much. I have reset the things I work on now because of it,” he added.
Ten-time Asian Tour winner Prayad, aged 56, rolled back the years making seven birdies and no bogeys.
“It’s my first time playing here, so I didn’t expect too much, just planned to stay on the fairway. Luckily, my tee shots were the best part of my game today,” said the Thai veteran, who won on the senior tour in Thailand in May in his hometown of Hua Hin.
“And, I made a great birdie on the first hole, that helped. I feel chilled this week, happy to see so many familiar faces.”
Chapchai, a four-time winner on the Tour, mirrored Prayad’s seven birdie bogey free performance. The 39 year old has not won on Asian Tour since 2014.
Unlike his three countryman ahead of him Tirawat did make a couple of bogeys but was happy to continue to play well after discovering some form in Thailand recently.
“I have been playing well on the All Thailand Golf Tour over past two weeks, a top-five and a top-10, so I am feeling good about this week,” he said.
“I got off to the perfect start, two birdies on first two holes. I like the course but it’s a little bit difficult for tee shots, but today that part of my game was okay.”
India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar returned a 68; he is bidding to win the event for a record third time, following his successes in 2013 and 2016.
Indonesia’s Naraajie E. Ramadhanputra, winner of the OB Golf Invitational in June on the Asian Development Tour, came in with a 69, while his country’s leading player Rory Hie carded 70.
* Information and images credit to www.asiantour.com and Erlangga Tribuana
This is my first time viewing..impressive and will view more in future.
Very impressive and we’ll presented.