The weather had the upper hand once again today at the OBGolf Invitational, with a lengthy rain delay putting paid to an already cramped schedule at the Damai Indah Golf’s BSD Course. In contrast to yesterday’s stop start frustrations, a single interruption of nearly four hours played havoc with the day’s program.

Overnight leader Jonathan Wijono maintained his grip on the lead when play was called just after 6pm in Jakarta due to darkness but the closing pack led by compatriot Naraajie E. Ramadhanputra were making inroads on his advantage in preparation for a full onslaught when play resumes tomorrow.

Ramadhanputra carded three birdies in his opening nine holes to draw level with Wijono, who only managed to improve his overnight score by one before the hooter sounded to end the day’s play. With most of the back nine remaining to complete Round Three the pair will be neck and neck when they get back out on the course on Friday morning.

Jonathan Wijono keeping grip on the lead. Photo by Yulius Martinus / OBGolf

Wijono, who famously has abandoned his putter in place of his trusty two iron, was philosophical about the weather delays.

“The delays didn’t really affect me, although the game today was bit stressfuI. I had a lot of good approach shots but a lot of missed putts. Unlucky putts. Not a bad putt, just not lucky. Started on the line but at the end, just veered off to the left or the right”, he said.

“Tomorrow I just have to be patient. I will stick with my game plan. Hopefully the momentum will change tomorrow. I’ll be happy if I’m in second or third place for the last round, I don’t like being in the lead on the final day”

Ramadhanputra was also equivocal about the rain delays. Having completed his round yesterday he started the day refreshed but took his time to settle in the early wet conditions. “In the first couple of holes it was rainy which made the short game pretty challenging, but after 5 holes the course became a bit easier,” he explained.

“My game was OK today. I think I’m in a good position – eleven holes with three birdies – and I hope tomorrow will be even better. Strategy today was to control my irons shots and my ball striking was pretty good. Missed a couple of putts but overall pretty good.”

Of the day’s other contenders, the group of Lloyd Jefferson Go, Danny Masrin and Chen Guxin set the pace for the field, each scoring the day’s best score of four under par, generally trading birdies as they made their way through to the back nine. Returning to play on the 13th hole tomorrow, the trio will need to keep up the challenge to make up four or five shots on the leaders.

India’s Udayan Mane, moving up into third spot. Photo by Yulius Martinus / OBGolf

India’s Udayan Mane has been in contention on all three days so far and was going well with three birdies today, until an unfortunate bogey on the 9th hole pulled him up short as darkness fell. At 12 under and two under for the day, he will also be looking to make a fresh start when play resumes.

Danny Chia of Malaysia started strongly with a birdie to add to his strong showing yesterday, although a double bogey on the next hole brought him swiftly back to reality. Posting a birdie two holes later was enough to see him card a par score for the day and he will return to the course with only a few holes to play.

Danny Chia of Malaysia, in fourth after even par start. Photo by Yulius Martinus / OBGolf