From mercedezbenz-tour:
HIE HOLDS FOUR STROKE LEAD
October 24: Indonesia’s impressive young golfer Rory Hie took a firm grip of the US$50,000 International Championship today on the Mercedes-Benz Tour after opening up a four-stroke lead following the third round.
The 20 year old carded a two-under-par 70 at Imperial Klub Golf, near Jakarta, while his campatriot Mauludin Andik and Jay Bayron from the Philippines lie in joint second place
Andik, the country’s number one amateur who started the day in a tie for the lead with Hie, returned a 74 while Bayron shot a 73.
Filipino Marvin Dumandan, who lost this tournament last year despite having a seven stroke lead going into the final day, is a stroke further back after firing a 70.
Hie’s leap up the leaderboard was expected by many this week as he turned professional in August following a brilliant amateur career in the United States.
He played for the University of Southern California and at one point was ranked sixth best amateur in the world. The talented golfer attended college for two years and then opted to leave prematurely as he felt he was ready for the professional game.
The decision appears to be justified as he closes in on a victory that would mark the first time that an Indonesian has won on the Mercedes-Benz Tour.
He had a poor start when he bogeyed the first two holes following three putts but then retaliated with birdies on three and four.
“I am pleased with the way I came back after those two three putts. I just tried to stay positive and not duck out,” said Hie, who moved to Los Angeles with his family when he was 10.
He also birdied the sixth and seventh to establish his authority on the tournament. He dropped a shot on the 11th and then holed a monster 50-foot putt on number 15 for a birdie.
“I feel very comfortable in the lead and very relaxed but obviously there is a lot still to do,” added Hie, who has a three round aggregate of eight-under-par 208.
