Rory finished T-2 in the 2011 Indonesian Open

Rory shot rounds of 68-70-68-70 to finish 12 under for a tie of 2nd place in the $1,000,000 tournament hosted by One Asia in Pantai Indah Kapuk Golf Course, Jakarta.

Rory Hie eyes victory at Indonesia Open

Matheos Viktor Messakh, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 07/13/2011 7:00 AM

Local favorite Rory Hie, with a runner-up finish on home soil already under his belt this season, is ready to rumble at this week’s US$1 million Indonesia Open.

“I feel like I am in control of my game. I have been working very hard, particularly on my tempo. I have a tendency to swing too fast. I worked a bit with Andrew Argus in Kuala Lumpur two weeks ago, but most of the time I practiced with my dad in Jakarta,” the 22 year old said in a statement sent to The Jakarta Post.

A former University of Southern California student energized the country’s golf fans by finishing in second place behind Australia’s Andre Stolz in the Indonesia PGA Championship, the season-opening event on the OneAsia tour. He led going into the final round before Stolz skipped ahead to win the title by one stroke.

The former sixth-ranked amateur in the world said he would love to put himself in a similar position and this time seal the win at the Indonesia Open at Damai Indah Golf-Pantai Indah Kapuk Course.

The rising star finished tied for ninth at the Negeri Sembilan Masters Invitational on Sunday on the ASEAN PGA Tour and is feeling confident.

“I feel like I can hit all the fairways and greens in regulation. Of course it doesn’t always happen that way, but at least that is how I feel, which is a very positive sign.

“It has been a very good year so far. Much better than last year’s scenario when I struggled,” he added.

He faces a big challenge as the tournament has attracted a stellar field, including a posse of proven winners.

Defending champion Michael Hendry of New Zealand, OneAsia number one Liang Wenchong of China, Japanese legend Shigeki Maruyama, Irishman Paul McGinley, fresh from a top-15 finish in the Barclays Scottish Open, and multiple winner Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand are among the favorites.

The Thai duo of Chawalit Plaphol and Kiradech Aphibarnat, both winners in Asia this season, and leading Malaysian Danny Chia will also tee it up from July 14-17.

Hie knows that there are a lot of expectations for him to perform well at his home turf Open and he hopes to deliver a victory.

“I really thought it was going to be my week. I had prepared so hard. However, I am proud of the way I finished the round and the final day was a great learning experience,” said Hie, who won a career-high $102,000.

Rory Hie eyeing 2012 European Tour

Agnes Winarti, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 06/14/2011 9:55 PM

Throughout the first half of the year, Rory Hie has been flying high in a series of prestigious golf tournaments, at home and abroad. The 22-year-old Indonesian golf star is now eyeing a homeground title and being among the world’s top 30 golfers to qualify for next year’s European Tour.

“This year my professional career has been improving well, especially in Indonesia. I hope to maintain that good momentum,” said Rory, who ranked sixth in world amateur golf in 2008, the year he began a pro career.

Rory, who is also Indonesia’s brand ambassador for Mercedes-Benz, was speaking at the Mercedes Trophy Indonesian Final media conference on Monday.

Rory expects to take part in OneAsia Tour’s US$1 million worth Indonesian Open from July 14-17 in Jakarta. Prior to that championship, Rory will depart to an earlier OneAsia’s championship at the High 1 Country Club in South Korea from July 7 to 10.

Rory finished runner-up at the first series of the OneAsia Tour, the Indonesia PGA Championship in March, where Australian Andre Stolz was crowned champion. Previously in April at the Asian Tour Indonesia Masters, which was won by world top golfer Lee Westwood, Rory finished ninth, best among the other Indonesian golfers who took part in the event.

Only last month, Rory shot the lowest final round of the day of 67 (5-under) to finish in tie-fourth place of OneAsia’s China PGA Championship in Zhengzhou, Henan, China. The one-week tournament was at the St. Andrews Golf Club golf course, reportedly having extreme conditions that saw few under par scores in. At a following OneAsia $1 million Nanshan China Masters in Shandong, China, Rory carded tie-seventh at finishing spot.

“I wish to qualify for next year’s European Tour. So, from around September to December this year, I will take part in qualifiers in Germany and France,” Rory said on his long-term target.

The European Tour this year will be in three stages, where only the top 30 golfers of the qualifying rounds will be proceed to next year’s tour.

President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Indonesia Rudi Borgenheimer expressed his pride toward the achievements of the Indonesian golfer who has since 2009 been the company’s brand ambassador.

“We hope to further support the development of young Indonesian golfers, especially in the U14 age group, covering the expenses of trips and equipment for Ancora [Golf Institute]’s U14 golfers,” Rudi said.

Indonesian Golfer Rory Hie in the Hunt in $1m China Event

Longkou. Hot Indonesian golfing prospect Rory Hie carded a three-under 69 to find himself in a five-way tie for sixth place after the second round of the $1 million Nanshan China Masters on Friday.

Indonesian golfer Rory Hie in action during the Nanshan China Masters Pro Am golf event at the Danling Golf Club in Longkou, China. The OneAsia event is the fifth leg of the series and carries a pot of $1 million. (AFP Photo/OneAsia)

Rory finished T-4 in the China PGA Championship Tour Henan Tournament

Rory shot the lowest final round of the day of 67 (5-under) to finish in 4th place in the tournament, after a week of extreme conditions in the golf course that saw few under par scores in Zhengzhou St. Andrews Golf Club, Henan, China.

Total score: 75-74-75-67–291

Rory won the US$47,000 Raharja SK T&E System tournament in Bandung

Rory shot a record-breaking 64 (8-under par)  in the  3rd round of the Rp400 million (US$47,000) Raharja SK T&E System tournament  in Bandung Giri Gahana golf course in  to lead the tournament going into the final round, with a standing score of -14.

He shot rounds of 70, 68, and 64 in the first 3 days.

Rory is a defending champion of the tournament from 2010.

Update: Rory finished with a final round of 69, totaling 17-under, to win the tournament by 8 shots.

Rory in 2nd place going into final round of Singha Pattaya Open

Rory shot rounds of 70, 66, and 67 (13-under)  to stand in 2nd place going into the final round of the Singha Pattaya Open (ASEAN PGA), 3 back of the leader.

From aseanpga.com:

The 22-year-old Hie underlined his huge potential with a runner-up finish behind Australia’s Andre Stolz in last month’s Indonesia PGA Championship on OneAsia and he has carried that form into this week.

“I have been playing well lately. I will try and stay focused and play the course tomorrow and not focus on Prom,” said Hie, who won US$102,000 for his second place in Jakarta.

The former US college star stuttered early on during the third round but a long, snaking birdie putt at the 13th kick-started his round and he shot three birdies in the last four holes.

“I struggled a little bit with my ball striking midway through the round but luckily I found my swing, found the groove, and finished really strong with two birdies,” said Hie.

Hie won The International Championship in Indonesia on the ASEAN PGA Tour in 2008 and credited the circuit with teaching him how to win.

“Playing ASEAN PGA Tour events has really helped me,” he said. “Last year when I was struggling I played a lot of these events.

“It helped me learn from my mistakes and taught me what I needed to do. Over the break I worked really hard on fixing those mistakes and it has worked well so far.”

Update: Rory finished T-8 in the event.

Rory placed T-9 in the 2011 Indonesian Masters

Rory shot rounds of 68-74-69-69 (8-under total) in the Indonesian Masters, a $750,000 Asian Tour tournament.

From asiantour.com:

HIE ENJOYS TOP-10 FINISH

Jakarta, April 24: Rory Hie birdied the last two holes to accomplish his goal of finishing in the top-10 of the Indonesian Masters on Sunday.
Hie battled to a three-under-par 69 for an eight-under-par 280 total to finish in tied ninth place at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
He was delighted with his ball striking. “It was probably one of the weeks that I hit the ball. I only missed one fairway and hit my tee shots really solid. I just couldn’t capitalize on the birdie putts again.”
He rued a poor second round which dashed his chances of being in contention in the US$750,000 Asian Tour event.
“I putted so badly in the second round. You can’t have any bad putting days out here or you will be left behind. If it wasn’t for the second round, I would probably be in contention.
“Like I said, I wasn’t aiming for a win. I was aiming for a top-10 which I achieved,” smiled Hie, the first Indonesian to earn an Asian Tour in 2009.

Previous articles from asiantour.com:

HIE HOMES IN ON TOP-10 FINISH

Jakarta, April 23: Rory Hie reaped the rewards of a new putter and a good shave to give himself a shot for a top-10 finish at the inaugural Indonesian Masters.

The local hero fired a four-under-par 68 at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club on Saturday to end the third round in tied 15th place, some 11 shots behind leader Lee Westwood.

“I thought I could have gone to seven or eight under but overall it was a good solid round. My short and long game was good. My putting was much better after I changed putters. I made two important changes today, I switched putters and shaved!” smiled Hie, the only local player to make the halfway cut this week.

“To score you’ve got to be on your game and precise on this course because the greens are very demanding and undulating. There’s no room for error. You have to keep the ball below the hole all the time.”

With the crowds firmly behind him, Hie gave them plenty to cheer about with another impressive performance.
He drew loud roars of approval with an opening birdie and was unlucky to not hole a few more chances.

“That was pretty exciting (birdie on the first hole). There was quite a loud cheer. It felt like I birdied the 18th hole. It was nice to have the home crowd supporting you. I could have made birdie on the second hole but missed a short putt. That has been the story of the week,” he said.

“Winning seems to be out of the question with Lee (Westwood) doing so well. Basically I’m aiming for a top-10. I’ve learned from previous experiences that you got to play your own game even though this is a big tournament. You got to focus and I think that’s what happened to the other local professionals. I played in other local tournaments and there’s always a guy shooting five or eight-under. I think it is just a mental game.”

First round article from asiantour.com:

HIE PROVIDES EARLY HOME CHEERS

Jakarta, April 21: If there was one Rory thrilling the Malaysian galleries last week, the inaugural Indonesian Masters saw another Rory providing the local cheers on Thursday.

Rory Hie, Indonesia’s great hope, posted a solid four-under-par 68 at Royale Jakarta Golf Club in the opening round of the US$750,000 Asian Tour event and put himself in touch with opening round leader Siddikur of Bangladesh, who set the early pace with a superb 66.

The 22-year-old knocked in five birdies against a lone bogey to raise hopes of a maiden victory on the Asian Tour.

Hie was delighted with his effort. “It was a really good round. I hit the ball really good,” said the young Indonesian, who hit 15 greens in regulation.

“All in all it was really good. I hit a lot of fairways and greens. I could have made a lot more putts and gone to seven or eight under. I will go work on my putting later. Hopefully I can come back stronger tomorrow.

“I had an eagle putt on the 12th hole from 12 feet but didn’t make it. It was still okay because I still had a birdie.”

The benefits of enjoying numerous practice rounds at the impeccable Royale Jakarta paid off nicely for Hie as he rarely looked in trouble of dropping shots, despite a lone blemish on the par three 15th hole.

Last season’s swing changes seem to be paying off as well for Hie with the Indonesian talent showing greater composure on the fairways as well while competing alongside Asia’s elite.

“I didn’t have a number in mind. I just tried to play the best that I can. Honestly, I don’t have any expectations at all and I hope to keep my mind clear and focus,” said Hie.

“I’m hitting it really solid and I need to maintain that. My preparations have been good. I’ve played pretty well for about four months now so I’m happy with my game now.”

If his namesake Rory McIlroy finished third at the Maybank Malaysian Open last weekend, Rory Hie would certainly be keen to match that performance, if not better it by a couple of notches in front of his home fans.

Pre-tournament article from asiantour.com:

HIE SEEKS HOME CHEER

Jakarta, March 23: Local prospect Rory Hie is eager to put on a heroic display at the star-studded Indonesian Masters next month.

Hie, the first Indonesian to earn his Asian Tour card in 2009, will lead the local charge to face world number two Lee Westwood of England, Thailand’s trailblazer Thongchai Jaidee and India’s rising star Gaganjeet Bhullar at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club from April 21 to 24.

The inaugural Indonesian Masters will become the newest Asian Tour tournament in 2011 with a lucrative prize fund of US$750,000.

Hie believes the Asian Tour’s involvement with professional golf in Indonesia is a massive boost for the development of the game and reckons Westwood’s star presence along with the cream of the crop from the Asian Tour will inspire many young golfers in the country.

“We have a lot of sponsors who are more interested in sponsoring golf tournaments now and this bodes well with the game in Indonesia. To have the world number two golfer play here is exceptional for the young players as well as the fans,” said the 22-year-old.

Hie hopes to put his course knowledge of the Royale Jakarta Golf Club to good effect and challenge for the Indonesian Masters title.

“I’ve been playing at the Royale Jakarta course and I find the greens to be quite tricky. But the more I practice there, the more comfortable I get. I’ve also been hitting the ball really well and that’s a great boost to my game,” he said.

Despite finishing outside the top-61 on the Order of Merit last season, Hie will still have playing opportunities on the Asian Tour this season through the country exemption category.

He missed six consecutive cuts last season but produced a sparkling performance at the end of the year when he placed tied 12th at the season-ending Black Mountain Masters, just four strokes from winner Tetsuji Hiratsuka of Japan.

“I changed my grip in the middle of last year and it worked wonders for me. I started playing more consistently and my last three tournaments were definitely the highlight. I’m hoping to maintain my momentum and if I play well maybe even win on the Asian Tour,” said Hie.

Hie played a practice round with three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington at the Iskandar Johor Open last year and he is now relishing the prospect of playing alongside Westwood.

“I learned a lot from playing with Padraig last year and it will be a dream come true if I get to play with Lee. I’m sure I’ll learn even more from him and that will be a bonus for my game,” he added.

The Indonesian Masters is earmarked to become the country’s foremost golf championship, with plans to raise its prize fund and attract other international stars to Indonesia in the coming years.

Sponsors of the Indonesian Masters include Four Seasons Hotel, Royale Jakarta Golf Club, PNTS, Garuda Indonesia and Mercedes-Benz. The event is also supporting Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organisation with the goal to build homes for the underprivileged in Indonesia.

Indonesia’s Rory Pleased With 9th Place Finish

From Jakarta Globe:

It’s not as impressive a finish as the one he had last month, but Rory Hie will leave the Indonesian Masters proud of his performance.

The 22-year-old shot a three-under 69 on Sunday and tied for ninth place with an eight-under 280 in a tilt Rory described “as one of his best weeks hitting the ball.”

Rory, the lone Indonesian to play over the weekend, did his best to give the home fans something to cheer about.

“I missed only one fairway and I hit every tee shot pretty solid,” he said on Sunday.

It was his putting, though, that let him down. After an opening-round 68, he dug himself a hole on Friday by shooting a 74.

He regained some of his touch in the third round, scoring a 69, but he knew winning the event was out of his reach.

“The second round was pretty bad for me. You just can’t have that kind of putting day out here, or else you get left behind,” he said.

“If it was a different second round, I think I would have been in contention. But overall, I’m very happy,” he added.

The golfer said he had “not been aiming for a win where [his] position was so far back Lee Westwood.”

“I was just aiming for a top 10 [finish] and I think I achieved that,” he said.

Rory has carried Indonesia’s hopes so far this year in two events considered to be the country’s version of a “major.”

He placed solo second in the Indonesian PGA Championship last month for his best finish ever in a regional tournament.

That performance bumped up expectations for him coming into the Indonesian Masters at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.

If Rory had caught some breaks with his short game in the Asian Tour event, he could have easily secured a better ranking.

“I just couldn’t capitalize on birdie putts. But overall, that was a good finish for me. I managed to put in three good rounds and that’s very good,” he said.

Birthday joy for Westwood, as Rory finishes in top 10

From Jakarta Post:

—

Indonesian ace Rory Hie birdied the last two holes to accomplish his goal of finishing in the top-10.

Rory battled to a three-under-par 69 for an eight-under-par 280 total to finish in tied ninth place at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.

He was delighted with his ball striking. “It was probably one of the weeks that I hit the ball. I only missed one fairway and hit my tee shots really solid. I just couldn’t capitalize on the birdie putts again.”

Rory rued a poor second round which dashed his chances of being in contention in the event.

“I putted so badly in the second round. You can’t have any bad putting days out here or you will be left behind. If it wasn’t for the second round, I would probably be in contention. “Like I said, I wasn’t aiming for a win. I was aiming for a top-10 which I achieved,” smiled Rory, the first Indonesian to earn an Asian Tour in 2009.

« Previous Page — Next Page »