Elmer Salvador bucked windy condition to card a five-under-par 67 and lead Jhonnel Ababa by one shot on Wednesday in the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Invitational at Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club’s Aoki course in Gen. Trias, Cavite.
Salvador, the 2009 Philippine Open winner who had three top 10 finishes in the first five legs of the inaugural Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) Asia late last year, birdied six of the first 12 holes to take early control in the $100,000 event.
Out to break a winless spell on the PGT since last year, Salvador bogeyed Nos. 14 and 17 against another birdie on No. 15.
Still, Salvador’s 32-35 card put him ahead of Ababa, who birdied the par-3 17th for 68.
“I played solid, everything was in place, including my irons and putting,” said Salvador, who last won at Splendido in 2016.
Thai Tommy Mansuwan shot a 70 for joint third with Joenard Rates and Dutch Guido Van der Valk.
Benjie Magada and American Josh Salah came up with 71s for joint six while CAT Open winner Justin Quiban matched par 72 to tie six others at eighth.
Other even par scorers were Paul Echavez, Anthony Fernando, Zanieboy Gialon, Keanu Jahns, Japanese Yuki Kamasu and Gerald Rosales.
Wack Wack leg champion Tony Lascuña shot a 74, the same output of American John Michael O’Toole.
Thai stalwart Pasavee Lertvilai posted a 75, while the revered Frankie Miñoza bogeyed the last two holes for a 76. Jay Bayron landed at 78.