Manila, Philippines: Elmer Salvador showed his liking for winning on home soil, cruising to a five-shot victory with a closing three-under-par 68 at the inaugural US$60,000 ICTSI Riviera Classic.
The Filipino veteran’s winning total of 11-under 273 was his third victory on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) and also his third home triumph on the Asian Tour’s secondary circuit.
Thai Pavit Tangkamolprasert missed out on a second ADT win, signing off with a 72 for a share of second place with England’s Peter Richardson who posted a 67 for a 278 total at the Riviera Golf and Country Club.
Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena was fourth on 279 while compatriot Robert Pactolerin, the joint second round leader, carded a 74 to take fifth place.
Salvador 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.
With his third ADT victory at the ICTSI Riviera Classic, the 44-year-old now holds the most number of ADT titles together with compatriot Jay Bayron and Chinese Taipei’s Chang Shih-chang.
“I’m very happy today. I played with great confidence and it helped that I had my friends and family here to support me. That really inspired me to do well. I kept my focus,” said Salvador, who is now hoping to notch his first win on the Asian Tour.
“I’ll be heading to Samui for the Queen’s Cup next week and hopefully I can continue to do well in an Asian Tour event and get a victory there,” said the Filipino, beaten in play-offs twice before, once in 2011 and again in 2012.
Pavit, meanwhile, was delighted to continue his rich vein of form highlighted by his first ADT title in Jakarta. Having finished tied-third in Malaysia last week he’s now added a runner-up finish to his record.
“Elmer played really well today and it was hard to catch him. As for my own form, I’m happy with my recent results and I know it will be a matter of time before I start winning again,” said Pavit.
The ICTSI Riviera Classic was part of a two-week Philippine swing on the ADT schedule. ICTSI will also title sponsor the next event, the US$60,000 ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship.