Indonesia’s Kevin Akbar was flying the flag for Indonesia on Independence Day today, posting a near flawless round of 63 to secure a lead of five shots over the field in the Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar & Nomura at Gunung Geulis Country Club.

His round of eight birdies and just the single dropped shot was the crowning achievement in an all-Indonesian group that included fellow Indonesian pro George Gandranata, together with course owner Agung Budiman and his younger brother Teguh.

“It was nice to play with an Indonesian group today, with George and Agung and his younger brother. It made it feel like a local tournament,” he said after his round.

“Yes, Pak Agung gave me some advice. I’ve played here two or three times this year. The greens were a little bit softer than the West course but the fairways are pretty much the same. I was just trying to hit the fairways and let the ball roll.”

Thailand’s Charng-Tai Sudsom pictured in action at the Indonesia Pro-Am at Gunung Geulis Country Club. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

Overnight leader Charng-Tai Sudsom was unable to fully capitalise on yesterday’s score of 62, posting a one-over-par round of 71 to finish the day on seven under par and in a group at second with Australia’s Deyen Lawson, who scored a 66 on the West Course to complement his 67 yesterday.

Singapore’s James Leow made a late run, finishing strongly to also claim a share of second spot going into the final round tomorrow, a run of six birdies making up for a bogey on his first hole of the day.

The three-day best-ball format, which sees professionals partnered with local amateurs, is played this week on two courses, with 100 professionals and 100 amateurs over the first two days.

This is the first time this innovative format has been used on the Asian Development Tour, and it is similar to the format of the New Zealand Open which is part of the parent Asian Tour. For the final day, the professional players will be cut to 50, although any playing in teams which make the top 20 will continue, but playing in the Pro-Am competition only.

Thailand’s Jakraphan Premsirigorn pictured in action at the Indonesia Pro-Am at Gunung Geulis Country Club. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

Thailand’s Jakraphan Premsirigorn had an adventurous day on the West Course, posting three bogeys, four birdies and an eagle to finish on three under par for the day, and six under overall. He shares fifth spot with Lao’s Thammasack Bouahorn who posted an even par round of 70.

Sejun Yoon, who celebrated an ace on his final hole of the day yesterday on the East Course, was unable to continue his run of form today, opening with a string of four bogeys before he was able to get his game under control and back into the red numbers. He finished the day with a 70 and sits in solo seventh place at five under par.

Ryoto Furuya of the USA leads a group in eight spot on four under par. His score of 66 made up for an opening day card of even par 70. Indonesia’s Syukrizal S was going the other way today, posting a one over par 71 after an opening round of 65.

Oliver Jacobsson of Sweden and Thailand’s Ekpharit Wu are neck and neck with a pair of 68s each, and the group in eighth spot was completed by Jaturon Duangphaichoom of Thailand, India’s Yuvraj Singh Sandhu and Jeremy Wendelken of the USA.

The Pro-Am competition is currently led by Witchayapat Sinsrang and Alit Jiwandana, who lead by two shots at -24 after two rounds from Yu-cheng Ho and Jannes Tjaden. Michele Ortolani and Heri Setiyono are one shot further back, followed by Tawit Polthai and Sholihuddin Amir on -20 and then the Thai duo of Suttijet Kooratanapisan and Charng-Tai Sudsom and their respective partners Rudy Halim and Krishna Iskandar.

The top ten for the Pro-Am is rounded out on -17 by Kasidit Lepkurte and Andrew Harvey Harjanto, Ekphairit Wu and Wawan Setianwan, Thammasack Bouahom and Leonard Husada and Poosit Supupramai and Andaru Djaja.