"It was quite hard playing 18 holes in one day."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - British golfer Lee Westwood came out as the winner of the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Master 2012 golf tournament here on Sunday.
The defending champion closed the fourth round of the tournament with 74 strokes or two over par at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
He started the fourth round in the afternoon session after playing in the morning to finish the third round which was canceled on Saturday due to bad weather.
"It was quite hard playing 18 holes in one day. Moreover this time I had to return to the course (to play two rounds). Perhaps I would have a deep sleep on the plane later," he said after the tournament.
Westwood finished the third round on the final day of the tournament with nine birdies and two bogeys.
But his performance declined on the fourth round recording only three birdies and five bogeys.
"It was quite hard. The wind was strong. Being a ranking leader mental pressure was also high. I played patiently and calmly and always tried to direct the ball into the hole correctly to avoid more mistakes," he said.
Westwood earlier led in the first round of the tournament recording seven under par and four under par in the second round.
Until the final round he recorded 272 strokes or totally 16 under par, which other golfers could not rival.
As the champion Westwood received US$118,875 in cash prize.
The second place meanwhile was taken by Thai golfer Thawornd Wiratchant with total strokes of 274 or 14 under par and received US$81,375 in prize money.
The trophy for the champion of the tournament was presented by Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng at Hole 18.
"Congratulation to Westwood. We hope Westwood`s presence in Indonesia could inspire Indonesian young golfers to make an achievement in the international golf arena," he said.
The only Indonesian golfer that advanced to the fourth round was Andik Mauluddin closing the tournament tying for 67th along with Indian golfer Shankar Das and deserved US$1,837.5 in prize money.
Andik played quite well in the third round with one over par, but not quite well in the fourth round with three birdies and eight bogeys.
Professional golfers from Thailand Boonchu Ruangkit and Thongchai Jaidee each had to be satisfied in a tie for 23rd along with three other golfers and a tie for 29th with other five golfers.
Several national figures were seen attending the presentation of trophies such as Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, former central bank senior deputy governor Miranda Goeltom and Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Law Affairs Djoko Suyanto.
(T.A059/H-YH/S012)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
