Johannes Veerman of the United States shot a six-under-par 66 to take the second round clubhouse lead at the BANK BRI-JCB Indonesia Open on Friday as he searches for a first Asian Tour victory.
The American, whose mum is half Indonesian, eagled the 14th hole for the second consecutive day to finish the round on 11-under-par 133 at the US$300,000 Asian Tour event.
Co-overnight leader Khalin Joshi of India and Hung Chien-yao were nine-under through nine and 10 holes respectively before play was suspended due to darkness at 5.30pm. They will be among 74 players to return on Saturday at 6.15am to complete their rounds as bad weather stopped play for nearly three hours today.
Frenchman Lionel Weber fired a sparkling 62 for the low round of the day as he finished two shots back of the clubhouse target alongside Janne Kaske (67) of Finland at the Pondok Indah Golf Course.
The sweet swinging Veerman made 25 putts in a round of four birdies and one eagle which was his third for the week as he soared into contention at the BANK BRI-JCB Indonesia Open.
After spending most of his youth in Asia, Veerman, who is now based in Texas, hopes to continue his impressive form during the weekend where his mother and relatives will come to support him.
āI played some great golf. Iāve made so many eagles this week which is probably the most Iāve done in my life. I made two eagles yesterday and today on the 14th hole. I donāt know whatās happening but I like it,ā said Veerman.
āIt is difficult when you are travelling around the world but my mum is Indonesian and she is coming up with my family and they will be out here. Iāll be excited and happy to play in front of them,ā he added.
Veerman enjoyed a splendid season on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) this year where he won once. He now hopes to follow in the footsteps of ADT graduates Pavit Tangkamolprasert and Poom Saksansin, who both won on the Asian Tour last month.
āAll of that practice on the ADT has been polishing my game.Ā You read about success stories of golfers winning but when you play with these guys (Pavit and Poom) and see them winning, then you tell yourself āhey if they can do it, so can Iā,ā he said.
Frenchman Weber, who is playing in his fourth season on the Asian Tour, fired his careerās low round of 62 where he birdied his closing five holes for a superb homeward nine score of 29-under.
āDuring suspension, I went to the restaurant, had good food and was watching the golf on the television. I got back on the course feeling relaxed and enjoyed my round. Making five birdies in a row gives you a good feeling,ā smiled Weber.
āIāve got nothing to lose this week. I will play offensively. I havenāt won on the Asian Tour yet so it will be superb to do it. I think Iāve secured my Asian Tour card so I hope I can get a win now,ā he said.
Kaske, a winner on the ADT, missed a par putt on the 16th hole after the weather delay but bounced back brilliantly when he chipped in for birdie from the edge of the 18th green.
āWe had a three-hour delay and I was imagining making that lag par putt but I burnt the edge on that one. Iāve had a bad year so far but Iām trying to finish the season strongly. A win will be the best case scenario,ā said Kaske.
Scores after round 2 of the Bank BRI-JCB Indonesia Open 2016 being played at the par 72, 7243 Yards Pondok Indah GC course (am – denotes amateur):
133 – Johannes VEERMAN (USA) 67-66.
135 – Janne KASKE (FIN) 68-67, Lionel WEBER (FRA) 73-62.
137 – Donlaphatchai NIYOMCHON (THA) 67-70.
138 – Masaru TAKAHASHI (JPN) 69-69, Simon GRIFFITHS (ENG) 70-68.
139 – Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA) 70-69, Pavit TANGKAMOLPRASERT (THA) 70-69, Natipong SRITHONG (THA) 64-75.
140 – Chawalit PLAPHOL (THA) 70-70, Danny MASRIN (INA) 68-72, Steve LEWTON (ENG) 72-68, Chiragh KUMAR (IND) 68-72.
141 – CHAN Yih-shin (TPE) 71-70, Wolmer MURILLO (VEN) 72-69, Atthaphon SRIBOONKAEW (THA) 70-71, Carlos PIGEM (ESP) 71-70.
142 – Blake SNYDER (USA) 72-70, James BOWEN (USA) 74-68, Seukhyun BAEK (KOR) 70-72, Chikkarangappa S. (IND) 74-68, Adrian HALIMI (INA) 71-71, Mithun PERERA (SRI) 67-75, Abhinav LOHAN (IND) 70-72, Suradit YONGCHAROENCHAI (THA) 75-67, George GANDRANATA (INA) 70-72.
