Bernd Wiesberger of Austria sealed a dramatic win at the CIMB Niaga
Indonesian Masters with a five-under-par 67 to defeat a persistent Ernie
Els of South Africa by one-shot on Sunday.
Wiesberger won his second title in Asia courtesy of some exquisite
ball striking as he totalled 15-under-par 273 at the US$750,000 Asian
Tour event which was staged at the majestic Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
Els, the reigning Open Championship winner, settled for second place
after carding 68 while overnight leader Daisuke Kataoka of Japan
claimed third place with a round of 70 to finish on 275. Thongchai
Jaidee of Thailand was a further three shots back in fourth after
registering 69.
The towering Wiesberger, whose coach Philippe De Busschere is based
in Indonesia, credited his acute iron play for his victory and dedicated
the win to his grandfather who passed away a year ago.
“I was struggling in the beginning after my birdie on one. But at the
turn I got a bit of momentum going because I was confident with my
ball striking,” said Wiesberger, who finished seventh last year and
went on to win in Korea.
He made the turn in 34 but tightened his grip on the third edition of
the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters with an eagle three on the 12th hole.
“It was good to hole the eagle and it was nice that Ernie (also
eagled the same hole) stayed in touch. He wouldn’t let go and that’s why
he is such a great champion. It was a good time to do that and it got
my round going,” he smiled.
Els, ranked 24th in the world, was one-over after five
holes but put on a battling display with birdies on six and nine
followed by an eagle three on 12 which he putted from 30 feet from the
fringe. He birdied the last to finish sole second.
“I played and fought hard. I wasn’t quite at my best but had a good
time. I didn’t hit my iron shots close enough especially at the start. I
was one over through five holes and had to battle back all the time,”
said Els.
“A win would have been unbelievable but second is not all that bad.
This has given me something and it shows my game is going in the right
direction. I’m starting to feel really good about my game.”
The South African tipped his hat to Wiesberger, who he played with in
the opening two days and on the final round. “I think Bernd played
better than all of us. I played with him for three rounds and I think he
deserves to win.”
Kataoka, who has never led in a tournament before, felt nervous on
the first tee but managed to pull-off his best performance since turning
professional in 2007. His third place result matched his career’s best
on the Asian Tour at the 2011 Taiwan Masters.
“I’m not disappointed with how I played this week. I played very well
and hit a lot of good shots. When we teed off, I felt very nervous but
I told myself not to be nervous and to try and concentrate on my game.
I didn’t sleep very well last night!” he smiled.
He hopes the experience of playing with multiple Major champion Els
will provide him with the impetus to lead him to a first victory on the
region’s premier Tour which is celebrating its 10th season this year.
“I had a good experience this week. I led for the first time in a
tournament and it was fantastic to play with Bernd Wiesberger and Ernie
Els. If I can continue to keep up with this consistency then I think my
first win will come very soon,” said the 24-year-old.
Pak Arwin Rasyid, President Director of CIMB Niaga was delighted with
the third staging of the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters as it has grown
into Indonesia’s most prestigious golfing event.
“When CIMB Niaga became the title sponsor to the CIMB Niaga
Indonesian Masters in 2012, we wanted to be part of an event that is the
nation’s most prestigious. I stand here today proudly to say, we have
achieved our goal. Thanks to the support of the other event partners
and of course, you, the golfing fans, we see the end of yet another
fantastic edition of the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters. We have
certainly seen golf at it’s finest over the past four days and
Congratulations to Wiesberger for his spectacular win today. It was an
exciting finish and you certainly earned yourself the title of the CIMB
Niaga Indonesian Master 2013!”
Scores after round 4 of the CIMB NIAGA Indonesian Masters
being played at the par 72, 7340 Yards Royale Jakarta GC course (a-
denotes amateur):
273 – Bernd WIESBERGER (AUT) 67-72-67-67.
274 – Ernie ELS (RSA) 68-70-68-68.
275 – Daisuke KATAOKA (JPN) 70-69-66-70.
278 – Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 69-65-75-69.
280 – Angelo QUE (PHI) 70-70-70-70, Ryan MCCARTHY (AUS) 70-70-70-70, MO Joong-kyung (KOR) 72-69-68-71.
281 – Unho PARK (AUS) 68-72-70-71, HWANG Inn-choon (KOR) 66-74-70-71,
Jake HIGGINBOTTOM (AUS) 69-69-71-72, Rahil GANGJEE (IND) 71-69-69-72.
282 – Anthony KANG (USA) 73-71-69-69, Scott BARR (AUS) 68-68-75-71,
Gunn CHAROENKUL (THA) 69-72-70-71, Jason KNUTZON (USA) 68-74-69-71, Wade
ORMSBY (AUS) 69-68-73-72, HUNG Chien-yao (TPE) 70-68-70-74, Richard T.
LEE (CAN) 72-68-67-75.
283 – Rikard KARLBERG (SWE) 73-71-70-69, Iain STEEL (MAS)
70-73-70-70, Kodai ICHIHARA (JPN) 73-70-69-71, Arnond VONGVANIJ (THA)
68-74-69-72.
