Game over for Pg S Hassanal in Jakarta

BRUNEI'S first professional golfer, Pg S Hassanal Al Haj, is down and out of the Mercedes-Benz Masters Indonesia after posting a six-over 78 to finish tied-106th yesterday for a two-day total of 22-over 166 at the Emeralda Golf and Country Club in Jakarta.

The cut for the final two rounds was set at eight over and the Bruneian was one of the 59 players to miss that bar.

After a difficult first day where he posted a score of 88, Pg S Hassanal pushed it all the way yesterday scoring three birdies at the par-five first, par-four 10th and par-five 17th.

However, his playing partner, Faiz Damit, did not feature at the ASEAN PGA (Professional Golf Association) tournament despite confirming his participation last week.

"I fell sick just as I was about to go for the tournament. I felt that there was no point going since I was not feeling well so I had to withdraw from the tournament," said Faiz in a telephone interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.

Brunei's second professional golfer is gearing up for future tournaments as he trains to get back to full fitness.

"There are other tournaments coming up and I'm preparing for the Johor Open this weekend so I've got back on the golf course to practise. I'm feeling better now," said Faiz, who trains at the Empire Hotel and Country Club.

Meanwhile, Wisut Artjanawat and Kwanchai Tannin, two of Thailand's most gifted young golfers, remained on course for the title taking a four-shot lead at the halfway mark at the par-72 golf course yesterday.

Wisut, a two-time winner on the Mercedes-Benz Tour and last year's Player of the Year, fired a five-under 67 while Kwanchai posted a 69 to share the lead at the top with a two-day score of nine-under 135s.

The Brunei Times