ASIAN DEVELOPMENTAL TOUR EVENT IN PHILIPPINES
JACKSON AND FLOREN SET PACE IN
RIVIERA CLASSIC AT MANILA
Manila: Sweden’s Nils Floren and England’s Grant Jackson set the early
pace by taking the first round lead with matching three-under-par 68s at
the inaugural US$60,000 ICTSI Riviera Classic on Wednesday.
Malaysia’s
Arie Irawan also got off to an encouraging start with a 69 to grab a
share of third place with Philippines’ Michael Bibat, Albin Engino,
Robert Pactolerin and Elmer Salvador at the Asian Development Tour (ADT)
event which is the first of the two stops in the Philippines.
Singapore-based James Byrne from Banchory had a disappointing, four-over-par 75 which included a triple bogey 7 at the 11th and birdies at the long 10th, 13th and long 16th.
Singapore-based James Byrne from Banchory had a disappointing, four-over-par 75 which included a triple bogey 7 at the 11th and birdies at the long 10th, 13th and long 16th.
It
was indeed a welcome return to form for Floren who earned his Asian
Tour card at Qualifying School in 2012 but failed to retain his playing
rights for the subsequent seasons.
“I’m
very proud of my performance today as I managed to stay focused and
achieved what I wanted to do. I kept strictly to my routine and
processes and I handled myself pretty well,” said Floren.
Having
lost his playing rights on the region’s premier Tour, the Swede decided
to switch his attention to the ADT where he has since achieved a small
measure of success.
His
best result came in Malaysia where he finished third in Langkawi last
year and although he is still searching for his first professional
victory, Floren believes his breakthrough will come if his opening round
performance was anything to go by.
“It’s
good to be playing well and I’m hopeful of my chances this week. It’s
going to be a long season ahead and my target is to finish top-five at
the end of the season,” added the Swede
This season, the ADT will reward the top five players on the final Order of Merit with playing rights for the 2015 Asian Tour season.
Like
Floren who missed out on his Asian Tour card at Qualifying School in
2013 and 2014, Arie admits he is still at that progressive stage in his
career where he needs to hone his game before he can savour success.
“It
is an encouraging start but I would like to say it’s still work in
progress. I’m still learning and grabbing whatever opportunities that
come my way,” said the 23-year-old, who turned professional in April
last year.
While
it is still early days at the ICTSI Riviera Classic, the 2008 Malaysian
Amateur Stroke Play Champion hopes he can continue to stay focused on
the task ahead.
“Mentally,
I was very focused today. You’re better off having a stronger mental
game than hitting a bad shot. I’m glad I was able to do that well today
and hopefully I can maintain this consistency,” said Arie, who has
already enjoyed two top-10s on the ADT this season.
Three players have yet to complete their opening round which was suspended due to fading light.
The ICTSI Riviera Classic is the sixth stop on the burgeoning ADT circuit, inaugurated as a gateway to the Asian Tour in 2010.
For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.
FIRST-ROUND LEADERBOARD
par 71
68 Nils Floren (SWE), Grant JACKSON (ENG)
69 Michael BIBAT (PHI), Albin ENGINO (PHI), Arie IRAWAN (MAL), Robert PACTOLERIN (PHI), Elmer SALVADOR (PHI)
70 Mitsuhiko HASHIZUME (JPN), Shubhankar SHARMA (IND), Reynaldo PAGUNSAN (PHI),
Zanie Boy GIALON (PHI).
SELECTED SCORE
75 James Byrne (Scotland) (T55).
TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES
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SELECTED SCORE
75 James Byrne (Scotland) (T55).
TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES
CLICK HERE
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