WESTWOOD GOES FIVE SHOTS CLEAR IN INDONESIAN MASTERS

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOUR

Jakarta: Lee Westwood was rewarded for his patience with a flawless four-under-par 68 as he took a five-shot, second-round clubhouse lead at the weather-hit CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters today.

Westwood, who took a short break after finishing tied third at the Masters, made eight consecutive pars before, having started on the 10th tee, adding birdies on holes 18 and three, followed by two closing birdies for 11-under-par 133 at the US$750,000 Asian Tour event.

The world number three holds a dominant five-shot lead over Kieran Pratt of Australia, winner of the Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Air Bagan in February, who posted a sparkling 65 at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.

Zaw Moe of Myanmar was on eight-under through 12 holes before play was abandoned at 5.27pm local time due to lightning threat. Play was also suspended earlier in the day for two hours and 20 minutes for the same reason. 

Moe will be among 74 players who will return at 6.30am Saturday to complete their rounds.

Westwood, who played in the morning, struggled with the humidity but he believes the extra rest will give him an edge over the chasing pack.

“You want to be leading tournaments and I obviously got the hang of playing on this golf course. More importantly, I was patient and I didn’t force things to happen. I’m glad I finished, I can relax this afternoon and prepare for the weekend,” said the Englishman. 

“Yesterday was quite windy and overcast. It was very hot and humid early on and I suffered with that a little bit. It is just one of those things where it can be so hot that you can’t replenish the fluids. That’s Asia for you. I’m going to have to fluid up this afternoon,” he added.

Kieran, playing in his second year on the Asian Tour, three-putted for bogey on his opening hole but made a brave comeback with 10 birdies against two bogeys for a 138 total. 

It was a polished performance from the Australian, who shot an opening 73. “I was frustrated yesterday. I felt like I was sort of playing okay but didn’t putt very well. I never had confidence on the greens and I did a bit of work with my coach last night and sort of ironed out a few things and holed some putts.

“I’ve been in this position before. It is only two rounds in so I need to keep going through the weekend. Obviously, Lee (Westwood) is a world class player and he is not going to back up but we are going to go out there and chase him,” said the 23-year-old.

Moe, who has won once on the Asian Tour, got off to a fast start, shooting birdies on holes 10, 14 and 18 highlighted by a 20-foot eagle putt on the 12^th hole. 

“The suspension didn’t stop any momentum in my game. I’ve been playing well so I’m not worried. I’m three back at the moment with a few more holes to play. I won’t rush anything, I’ll just play my game and hopefully at the start of the third round, I’ll be in the same flight as Westwood,” said Moe, who has yet to miss a single cut on the Asian Tour.

SECOND-ROUND TOTALS

(round not complete due to suspensions of play)

Par 144 (2x72). Yardage 7,262. Royal Jarkarta GC course.

133 Lee WESTWOOD (ENG) 65-68.

138 Kieran PRATT (AUS) 73-65.

139 Shiv KAPUR (IND) 68-71.

140 Daisuke KATAOKA (JPN) 72-68, James BYRNE (SCO) 73-67.

141 Thanyakon KHRONGPHA (THA) 71-70, Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 72-69.

142 BAEK Seuk-hyun (KOR) 72-70, Antonio LASCUNA (PHI) 70-72, Ajeetesh SANDHU (IND) 70-72, Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) 72-70, Rick KULACZ (AUS) 69-73, Angelo QUE (PHI) 69-73, Anirban LAHIRI (IND) 74-68, Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA) 74-68.

143 Jyoti RANDHAWA (IND) 68-75, Himmat RAI (IND) 72-71, Sam CYR (USA) 68-75, Adilson DA SILVA (BRA) 73-70, Scott BARR (AUS) 74-69.

144 Danny CHIA (MAS) 75-69, Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 75-69, Scott HEND (AUS) 74-70, Tim STEWART (AUS) 72-72.

145 Jonathan MOORE (USA) 73-72, Jason KNUTZON