Dec 13, 2019: Australian Josh Younger maintained his hot streak to sign for a blemish-free seven-under-par 65 and grab the halfway lead by one at the US$750,000 BNI Indonesian Masters supported by Bank BRI and MedcoEnergi on Friday. Shiv Kapur of India produced a flawless round of seven-under-par 65 with seven birdies to share the spot in fifth place.
Shiv kapur carded seven birdies to close with 9-under-par total at the end of second round. Following a shot behind at 8-under total, Ajeetesh Sandhu carded six birdies and a lone bogey to score five-under-67 and lying at T8.
Other fellow Indians Rashid Khan and Viraj Madappa were another two-shots behind Ajeetesh at six-under total and lying at T14.
Younger, who claimed his first victory in his 10 years as a professional two weeks ago, returned with another flawless round highlighted by seven birdies to cap a two-day total of 13-under-par 131 at the highly acclaimed Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
Overnight co-leader Keith Horne of South Africa signed for a 67 to take second place while Thai hotshot Gunn Charoenkul, who just rounded off a commendable season on the Japan Golf Tour last week, carded a bogey-free 65 to take third place on 133.
Alex Cejka of Germany registered a 66 to settle three shots off the pace in fourth while American Sihwan Kim, Thai star Prom Meesawat and India’s Shiv Kapur shared fifth place on matching 135s following rounds of 66, 68 and 65 in the popular event, which forms the third leg of the 2019/20 Panasonic Swing.
Joshua Andrew Wirawan emerged as the highest-ranked Indonesian after he signed for a 66 to tie in 12th place on 137. Wirawan is one of the five local prospects, including amateur Naraajie Emerald Ramadhanputra, to make the halfway cut set at one-under-par 143.
After opening his title defence with a 73, Thailand’s Poom Saksansin bounced back with a 68 to move to tied-39th place while countryman and 2019 Order of Merit champion Jazz Janewattananond settled seven shots off the lead in tied-14th place following a 70.
A total of 68 players, ranked into top-65 and ties after 36 holes, progressed into the weekend rounds of the BNI Indonesian Masters, which is celebrating its ninth straight edition on the Asian Tour.
By being the flagship event of the Asian Tour, the BNI Indonesian Masters will award the winner with 20 Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, ensuring more players benefit from the points breakdown.
The winner of the 2019 BNI Indonesian Masters will again receive a coveted spot in the World Golf Championships – FedEx St. Jude Invitational in 2020.
Asian Tour Release
