Jakarta, Sunday (4/12/2022) -- The excitement of BNI Indonesian Masters 2022 Presented by TNE ended phenomenally. Sarit Suwannarut emerged as the new champion, displacing many of the world's top professional golfers. As the main sponsor, PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. or BNI gave appreciation and reiterated its commitment to support the country's prestigious sport.
Moreover, this sport has proven to be able to attract world attention and bring in many international golfers. Indonesian golfers have also proven to be able to compete and bring up many potential golfers who are able to make Indonesia proud in the world.
For information, Sarit Suwannarut emerged as the champion. The world ranking of this Thai golfer will also skyrocket, along with his success on the tour which is the closing of this International Series event. This week Suwannarut is ranked 827 in the world.
The BNI Indonesian Masters 2022 Presented by TNE Prize Giving event was attended by the Founder of the Indonesian Master & Chairman of Asian Tour Jimmy Masrin, BNI President Director Royke Tumilaar, Chairman of PT Tunas Niaga Energi (TNE) Jubilant Arda Harmidy, Commissioner & CEO of Asian Tour Cho Minn Thant, and President Director of Royale Jakarta Golf Club Hendro Sutandi at Royale Jakarta Golf Club, Halim, East Jakarta, Sunday (4/12/2022).
BNI President Director Royke Tumilaar said he was proud of the company's participation in this prestigious sporting event. Moreover, the BNI Indonesian Masters is a long-awaited sport after a two-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. BNI's participation as one of the main supporters of this event is to encourage BNI's Go Global branding. Currently, BNI has 8 overseas outlets spread across various countries.
"It is an honor to be part of the BNI Indonesian Masters. Especially during the pandemic, there are more and more golf lovers in Indonesia, and now is the time to present an interesting spectacle," he said.
Royke continued, the Indonesian Masters has high-end fans from the corporate and commercial world, which is BNI's target. In addition to the large number of regional television viewers, this also includes the Indonesian diaspora and expatriates.
"We provide a tremendous opportunity for companies to connect with our clients in the global market. We would like to congratulate the winners of this year's BNI Indonesian Masters," said Royke.
This year's BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE was attended by previous Indonesian Masters champions such as Lee Westwood (former World No. 1 golfer and Indonesian Masters champion 2011, 2012, and 2015), Bernd Wiesberger (Indonesian Masters champion 2013), Anirban Lahiri (Indonesian Masters champion 2014), Poom Saksansin (BNI Indonesian Masters champion 2016 and 2018), and Jazz Janewattananond (BNI Indonesian Masters champion 2019). In addition, this year's tournament was also attended by various world golfers including the US Open 2010 major champion Graeme McDowell and LIV Golf golfer Chase Koepka.
The BNI Indonesian Masters presented by Tunas Niaga Energi was broadcast live across Asia through the Asian Tour's TV platform, which was watched by more than 750 million families in more than 200 countries and showcases Indonesia as a global golf destination to the international community.
The BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE was participated by elite golfers from the Asian Tour and the international world, as well as the best home players, who will fight for a total prize pool of USD 1,500,000 or around Rp 23.5 billion (exchange rate Rp 15,700).
This year, the tournament felt more prestigious as the prize pool has increased from USD 750,000 to USD 1,500,000. This is due to the tournament's status as part of the International Series of this season.
The Phenomenal Play of Sarit and Kevin Akbar
In terms of play, Suwannarut's club swing showed phenomenal play. He was in 2nd place in round 2. His progress got better and better and eventually took the honorable mention at the Indonesian Masters, which was delayed by two years due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Throughout this tour, some big names like Lee Westwood, who is a 3-time champion, as well as several golfers who have won the BNI Indonesian Masters were made helpless. Call it the 2014 champion Anirban Born (India), 2016 and 2018 champion Poom Saksansin, and 2019 champion Jazz Janewattananon.
World-class players such as Erni Els, Mathiam Keyser, and even Scott Vincent are currently leading the order of merit. In addition, this year's tournament was also attended by various world golfers including theUS Open 2010 major champion Graeme McDowell and LIV Golf golfer Chase Koepka.
Kevin Caesario Akbar, the only Indonesian representative to make the cut at this year's Indonesian Masters Tournament, has been in the overall order since the early rounds.
Kevin admitted that his game was still within the realm of what was expected. He prioritizes focus in every shot for optimal results.
Furthermore, Kevin also admitted that he was happy that BNI was back as the main supporter of the Indonesian Masters.
"This is very beneficial for us local golfers. The event in the country, provides an opportunity for golfers to get a chance to perform. I hope BNI continues to provide support," commented Kevin Caesario Akbar, the only Indonesian golfer whose steps extended to the BNI Indonesian Masters 2022 after the event.
In the final round Kevin made four birdies, but he made five bogeys. As a result, he was 1 over par 73. Birdies were made on holes 3, 7, 8, and 13. While bogey occurs on holes 5, 6, 10, 15, and 18. In total he packed 4 under 284.
Kevin, who has been a professional since 2019, admitted that he could have done better. However, he failed several times in trying to save par, especially in the last 9 holes. However, he was comforted because his putts went in, at least he was trapped to add bogey.
Kevin said physical fatigue was one of the problems, yet it's not that he doesn't keep himself in shape. On the contrary, traveling from tour to tour does drain his energy.
“Maintaining physical fitness is one of the factors that I must pay attention to, so that in the future it will no longer be an obstacle," said the golfer born on 24 February 1998,
To be sure, Kevin is very happy to appear at the BNI Indonesian Masters 2022. Besides being able to be on the same stage with world golfers, Kevin can also further hone his skills, however the son of Yudhi Mahriadi does not want to get caught up with the competition.