Manila: Local favourite Elmer Salvador banked on home comforts by firing a five-under-par 66 to grab sole possession of the third round lead at the inaugural US$60,000 ICTSI Riviera Classic on Friday.
A two-time Asian Development Tour (ADT) winner, the 44-year-old produced the day’s lowest score to move atop the leaderboard with his three-day total eight-under-par 205 at the Riviera Golf and Country Club.
Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert stepped up his chase for his second ADT win by returning with another 67 to share second place with Philippines’ Robert Pactolerin at the ICTSI Riviera Classic which is the sixth stop on the ADT schedule.
Thailand’s Pijit Petchkasem matched Salvador’s effort of a 66 to take fourth place while first round leader Nils Floren of Sweden grabbed a share of fifth place with India’s Sharma Shubhankar on 209 total.
Salvador first played his way into the record books by becoming the first player to successfully defend his ADT title on home soil in Cebu last year.
The 44-year-old believes his third victory on the burgeoning ADT circuit will come if he continues to keep his focus for his final 18 holes.
“I stayed really focused today and it helps that I’ve got the chance to play in front of my friends and family this week. That provided me with added motivation and support to do well,” said Salvador.
A victory at the ICTSI Riviera Classic will see Salvador match the records of compatriot Jay Bayron and Chinese Taipei’s Chang Shih-chang of having the most number of ADT victories since the burgeoning circuit was inaugurated as a gateway to the Asian Tour in 2010.
“I know another victory will do wonders for my career but like I said, I don’t really want to get ahead of myself yet and will only start to think about when I cross the finishing line tomorrow,” said Salvador.
It was a round that Salvador could take pride in.
After stumbling with a bogey-five on the second hole where he missed the green with a poor chip, the Filipino responded well with a birdie on the next hole.
He then turned on the afterburners by making four consecutive birdies starting from the eighth hole before completing a memorable day with his sixth and last birdie on 15.
“My putting was the key as I was really inconsistent with my driver today. I managed to take my chances around the greens and it showed with my score today,” said Salvador.
The ADT, which was launched in 2010 with five tournaments before growing to eight in 2011, 13 in 2012 and a record 16 in the 2013 season, has established itself as a gateway to the Asian Tour.
Leading third round scores
205- Elmer SALVADOR (PHI) 69-70-66
206- Pavit TANGKAMOLPRASERT (THA) 72-67-67, Robert PACTOLERIN (PHI) 69-69-68
208- Pijit PETCHKASEM (THA) 72-70-66
209- Nils FLOREN (SWE) 68-73-68, Shubhankar SHARMA (IND) 70-67-72
210- Arie IRAWAN (MAL) 69-74-67, Jay BAYRON (PHI) 71-72-67, Miguel TABUENA (PHI) 71-68-71.