Gandranata and Namchok set the pace at the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament presented by Panasonic

Jakarta, Indonesia, August 22:  Local hotshot George Gandranata closed with three straight birdies to sign for an opening seven-under-par 65, sharing a one-shot lead with Thailand’s Namchok Tantipokhakul at the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament presented by Panasonic on Wednesday.

Gandranata, the first Indonesian to win on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) in 2016, fired one eagle and six birdies against a bogey to match the efforts of Namchok, who returned with a bogey-free round highlighted by eight birdies, at the par-72 BSD Course by Damai Indah Golf.

Australian David Gleeson, a three-time Asian Tour winner, took third place with young Thai Phanuvich Onchu while Japan’s Shohei Hasegawa, placed fourth on the current Order of Merit, was tied in fifth place following a 67 at the US$110,000 ADT event.

Starting from the first, Gandranata nailed two birdies to turn in 34 before dropping a shot on the 10th hole. The 32-year-old, however, bounced back with an eagle on the par-four 12th hole before storming home with four more birdies in his closing five holes.

“My putting was good. I trusted my line and my caddy was good too. I read the lines well and got the speed right. I had some good par saves as well. It was a good bogey on the 10th actually. I eagled the 12th after holing out my second shot with a seven-iron from 151 yards. That got my momentum going,” said Gandranata, who needed only 25 putts around the greens.

“It’s good to be playing at home. I feel pretty relaxed. This course is not too long. I think it’s going to be a putting contest this week. If you can putt well, you should stand a good chance,” added Gandranata, who had enjoyed a fourth-place finish in an ADT event on home soil earlier in March.

The 31-year-old Namchok, a two-time winner on the region’s secondary circuit, is playing in his first event after taking a four-week break from golf to recover from a shoulder injury.

“I hit the ball good today. This is my first tournament in a month. I took four weeks off to recover from a shoulder injury. I am feeling much better now and it’s great to shoot a good score after taking the break!” said Namchok.

“This is my first time playing in this event. The course condition is really good. I holed a good birdie on the par-four sixth hole after making the putt from about nine feet. That’s probably my best birdie today,” he added.

The Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament, which is celebrating its fifth consecutive edition on the ADT this week, is the 15th leg of the 2018 season and the second to be played in Indonesia this year.

As one of the richest events on the ADT schedule this season, the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament will play a pivotal role in determining the Order of Merit rankings, where the top seven players on the final 2018 Order of Merit will earn a coveted Asian Tour card for 2019.

By featuring on the ADT schedule, the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament will also offer Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. The winner will receive six OWGR points while the top six players and ties will also earn points based on a sliding scale.

For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.

Leading first round scores:

65 – George GANDRANATA (INA) , Namchok TANTIPOKHAKUL (THA) 

66 – Phanuvich ONCHU (THA) , David GLEESON (AUS) 

67 – Peradol PANYATHANASEDH (THA) , Jakraphan PREMSIRIGORN (THA) , Shohei HASEGAWA (JPN) , Sattaya SUPUPRAMAI (THA) 

68 – Ye Htet AUNG (MYN) , Quincy QUEK (SGP) , Varanyu RATTANAPHIBOONKIJ (THA) , Udayan MANE (IND) , Kasidit LEPKURTE (THA) , Miguel CARBALLO (ARG) , Nirun SAE-UENG (THA) 

69 – Sam GILLIS (USA) , Samarth DWIVEDI (IND) , Nitithorn THIPPONG (THA) , Indra HERMAWAN (INA) 

70 – Kentaro NANAYAMA (A) (INA) , Blake SNYDER (USA) , William HARROLD (ENG) , Jordan IRAWAN (INA) , Brett MUNSON (USA) , Steve LEWTON (ENG) , Mitchell SLORACH (SGP) , Erwan VIEILLEDENT (FRA) , Elki KOW (INA) , WANG Wei-lun (TWN) , Nattawat SUVAJANAKORN (THA) , Arie Irawan (MAS) , Han LEE (USA) , Dominikus GLENN (A) (INA) 

71 – Syed Saqib AHMED (IND) , Martin DIVE (AUS) , Suttijet KOORATANAPISAN (THA) , Matt KILLEN (ENG) , Kevin TECHAKANOKBOON (THA) , Sorachut HANSAPIBAN (THA) , Annop TANGKAMOLPRASERT (THA) , Oskar ARVIDSSON (SWE) , Hanbo LEE (RSA) , Deepinder Singh KULLAR (IND) 

Ends.

About Panasonic

Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development of diverse electronics technologies and solutions for customers in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, and B2B businesses. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2018, the company has expanded globally and now operates 495 subsidiaries and 91 associated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of 7.343 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2017. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company uses its technologies to create a better life and a better world for its customers. To learn more about Panasonic: http://www.panasonic.com/global

About Damai Indah Golf, BSD Course

Recognized as one of the finest courses which Jack Nicklaus ever designed, Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) Course. This award-winning course features the “Spirit of the Hills” with lush tropical landscaping, green rolling hills and many enormous and yet challenging bunkers.

Operated since 1992, The BSD Course was designed to offer an enjoyable mental challenge within a visually appearing setting with every hole positioned within beautifully landscape settings and it’s playable for every type of golfers, whether a high or low handicapper. As Jack Nicklaus’ maiden project in Indonesia, he ensured this remarkable 6,545 meter, par 72 course incorporated many of his personal favorite features from some of the world’s top courses. The BSD Course is undisputable one of the best the world has to offer.

Found alongside the Cisadane River and within the Serpong Valley, the course is located in the outskirt of Jakarta, around 32 km or 45 minutes from the SCBD part of down-town, and can be accessed from Jakarta–Meraktoll road and outer ring road.

Damai Indah Golf, Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) Course is the home of many international tournament, such as Indonesia President Invitational 2007 and 2009, Indonesia PGA Championship 2014.

About Asian Development Tour

The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading seven players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.