Lascuna joint ninth; Westwood nears No. 1

MANILA, Philippines - Tony Lascuna fumbled with a one-over 73 but still turned in a top 10 finish at joint ninth in the $750,000 Indonesian Masters ruled by Lee Westwood at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club in Indonesia yesterday.

Westwood dominated the field with a closing 69, finishing with a 19-under 269 and giving himself a big birthday present with a three-shot romp over Thai ace Thongchai Jaidee, who had a 272 after a 65.

The victory, worth $118,875, could propel the Englishman back to the No. 1 spot in the world ranking if compatriot Luke Donald fails to win the Heritage on the PGA Tour Sunday.

Lascuna, impressive with a 67 and two 70s to put himself in joint fifth at the start of the final round, succumbed to pressure and bogeyed three of the first 13 holes, needing to birdie Nos. 16 and 18 to salvage a 73 and a 72-hole total of eight-under 280. He won $13,049 or P561,107.

He finished tied with Darren Beck of Australia, who had a 67, Hwang Inn-choon of Korea, who shot a 69, Rory Hie of Indonesia, who carded a 69, Pariya Junhasavasdikul and Prom Meesawat of Thailand, who made a 70 and 73, respectively, and Taiwanese Lin Wen-tang, who matched par 72.

Angelo Que shot a 71 and wound up tied for 18th with Mardan Mamat of Malaysia, who had a 73, at 282, while teener Miguel Tabuena rallied with a 68 and jumped from 48th to a share of 27th at 285. Each received $9,262.

Artemio Murakami wound up with a 288 after a 71 for a share of 37th, Juvic Pagunsan made a 70 for joint 41st at 289 while Mars Pucay matched par 72 for a share of 55th at 292.