2018 ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge: Dutchman pounces on Salvador last-hole crash, leads by 2
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With his long putter doing the trick, Guido Van der Valk seizes control of the elite field
Salvador, sustaining his form following a victory in the pro-am Tuesday, rattled off four straight birdies from No. 5 that capped a scorching six-birdie binge from No. 2 on his homeward trip, shoving the veteran Davaoeño shotmaker past Van der Valk with an eight-under overall card.
But he hit an errant approach shot on the par-4 No. 9, the ball hitting a tree and into a hazard. He dumped his wedge shot into the greenside bunker then two-putted for 7, enabling the Manila-based Dutchman to wrest a two-stroke lead at seven-under 133 and on course for a follow up to his maiden triumph at Eagle Ridge last March.
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With his long putter doing the trick, Guido Van der Valk seizes control of the elite field
“The course should not be taken lightly. Misfired drives and errors on approach shots can hit you at anytime and punish you,” said Van der Valk. “Those early birdies boosted my confidence the whole day and I’m hoping to have the same result in the third round.”
It was a sorry foldup for Salvador who meticulously worked his way back from an up-and-down backside 35 with that string of birdies that came like rain in another scorching day at the tight but tricky layout of the country’s oldest course.
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Looking back, Elmer Salvador could only wish for a steady approach shot on No. 9
“I missed the greens twice and three-putted the other,” said Stewart of his misfortunes on Nos. 5, 13 and 16. He parred the other par-3 on No. 10.
Charles Hong, out to snap a long title spell, turned in a bogey-free 66 on a pair of back-to-back birdie feats fro Nos. 4 and 13 as the Cebuano ace seized solo fifth at 136, just three strokes off the pace with 36 holes to play in the P3 million tournament sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
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Jhonnel Ababa rues a flubbed birdie putt on No. 5
Joining Carlos, winner of the PGT Asia Riveria and PGT Apo legs in the last two months, are Clyde Mondilla and Dino Villanueva, who matched par 70s, and Keanu Jahns, who fumbled with a 71.
James Ryan Lam and former PGT Asia leg winner Rene Menor fired identical 68s to tie American Lexus Keoninh, who carded a 69, at 139 while the rest stood far behind with Jay Bayron hobbling with a 72 after a 68 for a 140 in a tie with Albin Engino (68), Mhark Fernando, Nilo Salahog and Korean Park Jun Sung, who all carded 69s, Robert Pactolerin (70) and Erwin Arcillas and Ramil Bisera, who struggled with 72s in the event backed by BDO, KZG, Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Sharp, Champion, Summit Mineral Water and PLDT.