SA juniors hang tough in Jakarta

The South African junior quartet battled to mixed results in the third round of the Enjoy Jakarta World Junior Golf Championship in Indonesia on another taxing day at Damai Inda Golf in North Jakarta.

Eagle Canyon’s Woo-Ju Son climbed to a tie for third in the Girls B-Division (ages 13-14), while Steven le Roux from Bloemfontein and Chiara Contamathios from Wanderers maintain their overnight six place standings in their respective divisions and Franklin Manchest from George also held on to his eighth place in the Boys A-Division (ages 15-17).

Son followed an opening 79 with a 77 to tie Indonesia’s Nathania Rim at 12-over-par 156. The pair are seven strokes behind second placed Jenny Ham from Thailand and 15 shots off the pace from third round leader, Miyuu Goto from Japan.

Reigning Nomads SA Girl’s Rose Bowl champion Chiara Contomathios registered an 80 to finish on 15 over 159. She also lags 15 strokes behind pacesetter Ribka Hie from Indonesia, who posted two successive rounds of 72.

Overnight leader Rupert Zaragosa III was the only player in the Boys A-Division to break par for a second successive day.

The Philippine player leads on five under 211 with rounds of 75, 68 and 68.

Le Roux added a 77 to earlier rounds of 74 and 76 to finish on his own in sixth on 11 over 227, while fellow South African Golf Development Board (SAGDB) player Manchest finished alone in eighth place on 14 over with rounds of 77, 76 and 77.

“Chiara had a lacklustre day and mixed 11 pars with six bogeys and the double bogey at the par-four fourth,” said Womens Golf South Africa vice-president, Sally Greasley.

“Although Woo-Ju didn’t fare much better, she did notch three birdies to erase some of the damage of five bogeys and one double.

“Woo-Ju battled an errant driver, which forced her to go for the green on several holes. Both girls also said their putting let them down badly, and headed straight to the putting green for an hour’s practice after their round.

“Steven’s front nine was peppered with bogeys and just a lone birdie, while the back nine went much better and he reeled in three birdies to offset two bogeys.

“Franklin had a pretty flat front nine and boxed one birdie putt, but he struggled with a wayward driver on the back nine and dropped five shots on his way to a 77.

“The players were obviously frustrated after their rounds, yet they remain upbeat about the experience. They are enjoying the exposure to other cultures and to a golf course and conditions that are well outside their comfort zone.”

OFFICIAL WEBSITE – http://www.jakartaworldjuniorgolf.com/

Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of Womens Golf South Africa.

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