Golf: Beauty queen cards 79 in Asian Ladies Tour event

Published on 19/10/2012 00:00

INDONESIAN beauty queen Inez Putri failed to convert her catwalk skills to the golf course on Thursday when she carded a 79 in the first round of the Enjoy Jakarta Ladies Indonesia Open yesterday.

It was a case of bogeys rather than bouquets for Putri, winner of this year’s Miss Indonesia and a Top-15 finisher at the 2012 Miss World content, as the keen golfer’s game has clearly suffered due to her commitments.

“I haven’t played much golf in five months so I am happy with my score,” she told reporters after posting her seven over par first round score at the Ladies Asian Golf Tour event.

Although her golf may be on ice this year, she still has her eye on a pair of gold medals at next year’s southeast Asian Games in Myanmar.

The 23-year-old from the honeymoon island of Bali said she was planning to play in the individual and team event.

“I want to win gold at the SEA Games,” said Putri, who has won gold and silver medals at Balinese national level and won the ladies Singapore amateur championship in 1010.

“Winning a gold medal at (an) event like the Olympic Games, Asian Games or world championships is always what all athletes look for.”

Having succeeded on the pageant front, Putri has her toe in the door at a golf channel with a view to promoting the game in Indonesia.

The Balinese Olympic Committee took a dim view of her swapping her golf spikes for stilettos, however, and kicked her off the island’s team over potential scheduling conflicts.

“There’s no pressure on me,” said former Bali Governor Cup winner Putri, who wants to play on the American LPGA Tour in the future.

“I’d love it if the fans are following me as it takes off the pressure on me.”

She said she could carry out her duties as Miss Indonesia and continue to play golf without breaking protocol. “Those are social requirements. This is sports,” she said. “I’m happy to play golf and promote Indonesia as a golfing destination.”