Finnish national team coach Sami Konsteri, Finland, took the lead in the Men's World Ranking Masters at Senayan Sportainment Bowling Center in Jakarta, Indonesia after day one qualifying on short oil with a 1708 8-game pinfall and a 213.50 average.

Picture courtesy of Yap Kok Wee.

The Finn, ranked 22nd in the 2007 European ranking season, tied Hussain Al-Suwaidi for the men's high game (256) and had a pair of 235s to earn a $1,000 bonus for the daily winner.

Lucas Legnani, Argentina, winner of the PABCON (formerly American Zone) final ranking tournament, was only four pins behind Konsteri to sit in second place with 1704. Third place belongs to Konsteri's fellow countryman and national team member, Jari Ratia, Europe's No. 23, with 1684. Al-Suwaidi is fourth with 1682.

Rounding out the top 8 are 5. Wu Siu Hong, Hong Kong (1671) 6. Mubarak Al-Muraikhi, Qatar (1667) 7. Alejandro Reyna, Costa Rica (1664) and 8. local favorite and Asia's No. 2 in the 2007 rankings, Ryan Lalisang, Indonesia (1658).

The World Ranking Masters should feature the top eight men and top eight women from each zone (American, European and Asian) of the World Tenpin Bowling Association. Asia's No. 1, Jason Belmonte, Australia, will not compete in the WRM. All but one player from the top 8 in Europe declined the participation to the event including ranking champion Osku Palermaa from Finland.

The only top 8 player is defending champion Stuart Williams, England, who decided last week to fill a vacant European spot and is currently in 12th place with 1628, just 30 pins off the pace for the top 8.

All players will bowl the second 8-game block on long oil on Saturday and the third and final 8-game block on dual lane condition (one lane with short oil, the other with long oil) on Sunday.

The top 8 after 24 games will advance to the single-elimination best-of-three games finals. Since its inception in the year 2001 the World Ranking Masters features total prize money of 32,000 U.S. Dollar. The three daily leaders and the overall qualifying leader receive a $1,000 bonus each, which brings the total prize fund to $36,000.

The champions will walk a way with the $10.000 (approx. $6,425) top prize.