Rookie Indonesian golfer Jonathan Wijono turned in a blistering nine-under round in a stop-start day at the OBGolf Invitational today with a score of 63 to dramatically take the lead in his first ever Asian Development Tour event as a professional – and he did it all without a putter in the bag!

The 22-year-old national athlete turned professional in 2020 after a strong amateur career, including individual gold and a team silver in the 2016 Indonesian National Games. He resisted the switch to professional status while still at college in Perth, maintaining that he would turn pro when ready, and when he could devote all his time to golf.

He certainly showed what he is capable of today, turning in a commanding performance in his first ADT event and on a day when the weather kept disrupting the flow of proceedings with several breaks in the action. The US$70,000 OBGolf Invitational event is being played at the Damai Indah Golf’s BSD Course from June 7-10.

“My game was very good today. I didn’t expect to shoot nine under, just maybe around five under. I tried to get birdies on the par fives and maybe on the short par 4 but luckily today I played really good. My strategy was on point and I executed well so I ended up better than I expected,” he said.

“I was quite tired because of the stops. Today we had I think five or six stops which was tiring. My approach shots were working quite well, I could get the ball in close to the pin with a lot of birdie chances below five meters. That was a strong part of my game today.”

Naraajie E. Ramadhanputra started strongly and finished with a 68. Photo by Yulius Martinus / OBGolf

Following up on his his four-under 68 yesterday, Jonathan leads the tournament going into the final round, two shots ahead of compatriot Naraajie E. Ramadhanputra who started strongly but dropped a few shots in the closing stretch to finish with 66.

“Jowi”, as Jonathan is known, unusually doesn’t like using a putter.

“Actually I didn’t bring the putter to Jakarta. I’ve only 13 clubs in my bag, I used the two iron as my putter. Why? Because I just don’t feel comfortable with the putter, Just from the setup I don’t feel comfortable. I tried with five different putters and it didn’t work, I don’t know why, but the two iron is like my best friend.

“Tomorrow I’ll just try to play like usual, follow my game plan, follow the same strategy as today and yesterday.” With a putter? No, still no putter,” he laughed.

Sarun Sirithon sits in third place after a four-under 68. Photo by Yulius Martinus / OBGolf
With groups still out on the course as the day drew to a close, including the first round leaders Poosit Supupramai and Udayan Mane, other members of the field put in a strong showing.

Thailand’s Sarun Sirithon, who made a late charge into third place on Tuesday, carded a solid 68 to finish on 10 under. He started strongly on the back nine with three birdies but two dropped shots on his final nine holes pushed him back to a one under finish for the nine, helped by one birdie and and eagle on the par-five fourth hole.

Ryoto Furuya of the USA, who was just one under and sharing 25th place after round one, posted an impressive 65 to top a group in fourth place, helped by a strong five birdies on his second nine.

David Langley of England looked to capitalize on his 69 in round one, and with seven birdies offset by two bogeys he scored a solid 67 to join the group on eight under in fourth. Malaysia’s Danny Chia completed nine holes today at three under and also remains with a share of fourth. He will finish his round tomorrow.

Thailand’s Suttijet Kooratanapisan, Chen Guxin of China and Singapore’s Abdul Hadi share 10th place between them, carding a 69, 71 and even par 72 respectively.

Indonesia’s Danny Masrin sits at five under, following up his 69 yesterday with a two under score of 70 today. He shares 13th place with Van Thomas of the USA, who remains out on the course with a score of four under so far for the day, and Australia’s Jack Murdoch is also showing strong form at two under after nine holes, with a birdie, bogey and eagle making up his front nine 34.

Play was suspended shortly before 7pm due to darkness, and a number of players remain on the course needing to finish the second round. The cut is projected at +1, with 53 players currently within the limit.