Golf Asian Tour Indonesia Open 2022: Tight Competition Ahead Of Finals, Danny Masrin Best Indonesian Golfer

National golfer Danny Masrin became the best Indonesian representative with 7 under on the third day of the Indonesia Open 2022 Tournament at Pondok Indah Golf, Jakarta, Saturday 6 August. (Asian Tour/Erlangga Tribuana)

JAKARTA - The competition for the third day of the Mandiri Indonesia Open 2022 at Pondok Indah Golf Course, Jakarta, Saturday, is getting tighter, marked by the struggle for the top position of the standings by Indian golfer Rashid Khan and Thai golfer Atiruj Winaicharoenchai.

Rashid, who played well without the bogeys, said he was happy to be able to enter into a tough competition that meant something to him.

"The main key to my game today, in my opinion, was because my putting was very good and some of the other shots were also good. There were some crucial moments, some went straight in, although in the end my game was a bit messy," said Rashid.

Furthermore, heading into the final which will take place on Sunday, Rashid does not want to play under pressure. He felt that being able to compete against opponents some of whom were his close friends was an exciting moment.

"I have no special preparations for tomorrow. It's the same as what I did today," said Rashid.

Meanwhile, Atiruj, who on the second day scored the best score during the Mandiri Open 2022, was held for three days by making 63 strokes or nine strokes over par, just wanted to show his best game.

"I just want to play under par every round. That's my target. Just show my best game," said Atiruj, who won two All Thailand Golf Tour titles this year.

On the previous day, the number one position belonged to Itthipat Buranatanyarat. The Thai golfer dropped to T3 with Gaganjeet Bhular, Chapchai Nirat, Chang Wei-luan. They each recorded a score of 13 under par.

Gaganjeet is an Indian golfer who has won the Indonesia Open twice, in 2013 and 2015.

Homeland Golfers

Meanwhile, the five Indonesian golfers who qualified for round 3 also did not disappoint. Danny Masrin led with a total of 209 strokes or seven under par.

On the third day he scored the best result compared to the previous two days, which was 69 strokes or three under par. Previously, in a row he recorded 70 strokes or two under par.

"Actually, the Pondok Indah field set-up is almost the same, but every year the rough on this field is quite difficult. It's a bit thick, so if the ball falls in the rough then fifty-fifty hopes to hit the ball," Danny said as quoted by Antara.

"The pin position is also slightly different from what we have memorized so far. The position is more on the thinking side," Danny said about the golf course conditions they had to face in 2019 when they were in the top 30.

Furthermore, Indra Hermawan collected 210 strokes or six under par, Syukrizal S. and Jonathan followed with a score of five under par each. Meanwhile, amateur golfer Almay Rayhan's score is three under par.

To win The Best Amateur Player trophy, Almay must compete with Taichi Kho. The golfer from Hong Kong occupies the T7 position along with two professional golfers, Poom Saksansin and Adison Da Silva who each collected a score of 12 under par.