Indonesia’s Kevin Akbar, already a winner on the Asian Development Tour this season, made a strong start to the second Indo Masters Golf Invitational presented by TNE today, posting a five under par 67 to post the early lead at Imperial Klub Golf in Jakarta.

He shares the leading spot with Italy’s Andrea Saracino, who is playing in Asia for the first time this season, and showed signs of steady progress in the region by matching Akbar to share the overnight lead.

“It was a pretty solid round,” said Akbar after his round. “I had a lot of luck in the first nine, made some long birdie putts and then chipped in on eight so I was like four under through the first nine. My short irons were pretty good today and I made some putts.

Andrea Saracino of Italy pictured in action at the second Indo Masters Golf Invitational presnted by TNE on October 11, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

Making back to back bogeys on his back nine slowed the momentum somewhat but Akbar was quick to recover. “For me the back nine is a little bit tougher so I just tried to keep the ball in play. There was some bad decision making because the wind was switching around, on the par three I missed long, but it was a good putt for bogey though,” he added.

“A few holes have a pretty narrow fairway, especially if you are playing in the afternoon when the wind is switching around. You just have to try to miss in the right place,” he explained.

Akbar, who won the Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar and Nomura in August, was playing in a competitive group, with Aaron Wilkin who won the BRG Open Golf Championship in Vietnam in August and Sangchai Kaewcharoen who won last week at the OB Golf Invitational presentd by Sentul Highlands Golf Club. The three are in close contention in the season-long Order Of merit.

“It was OK, just another round of golf really.” he laughed. “We talk, we have fun, we’ll just have to see how it goes tomorrow.”

Ben Robinson of England pictured in action at the second Indo Masters Golf Invitational presnted by TNE on October 11, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf

Saracino, a member of the Italian national team playing with two compatriots, revealed after his round that he’s looking to cement his place in Asia.

“I love it here,” he said. “The weather is always hot, in Italy sometimes it’s too cold for me but I love it here in Asia, I love the people, I love the food,” he explained.

“I’ve been playing in Europe but i’m hoping to make the Asian Tour and also the Asian Tour Q-School. I’ll be playing Malaysia and hope to be playing next year on the ADT or Asian Tour.”

England’s Ben Robinson, making his second start on the ADT, posted a solid score to demonstrate how he’s also finding his feet in Asia, his bogey-free round of 68 earning him a share of third place with Indonesia’s Geroge Gandranata.

In fifth place, on three under 69, sits a sizeable group including the Thai foursome of Thanpisit Omsin, Chonjarern Baramithanaseth, Supravee Phatam and Charng-Tai Sudsom. They are joined by Japan’s Naoki Sekito, who won the OB Golf Championship last month, Joe Heraty of England, Indonesia’s Robby Sugara and Oscar Zetterwall of Sweden.

In 13th spot, on two under 70, are Samarth Dwivedi of India, Indonesia’s Benita Kasiadi and the Thai quartet of Peradol Panyathansedh, Sarun Sirithon, Arnond Vongvanij and Patatraphol Khanthacha, who won the Singha Pattaya Open in July.