Salvador forces five-way tie but loses in playoff

MANILA, Philippines - Elmer Salvador rallied with a four-under 66 to force a five-way tie but lost in the playoff for the Singapore Classic crown won by India’s Himmat Rai at the Orchid Country Club in Singapore yesterday.

Salvador rallied from five shots down to tie Dutch Guido Van der Valk, South African Tjaart Van der Walt, Brazilian Adilson Da Silva and Rai at the close of the $300,000 storm-hit event at 271.

Salvador rattled off three straight birdies to put himself in contention after falling by as many as five strokes after 54 holes. A bogey on No. 6 momentarily slowed down his charge but the former Philippine Open champion hit another birdie on No. 9 and rammed in a six-footer for birdie on the 12th before parring the last six holes for that 66.

Salvador earlier scored 68 and 67 to move within one off Rai and two others before reeling back with a 70 for that 271, tying Van der Valk, who had a 66, Van der Walt, who made a 67, while Rai and Da Silva wavered with a pair of 71s to fall into a five-way logjam at the end of regulation.

Despite the setback, Salvador showed he can still vie for the crown in the region’s premier circuit. It was his best finish after ending up tied for 20th in the recent Selangor Masters.

Juvic Pagunsan also fired a bogey-free 66 but fell short of one stroke for the playoff, ending up solo sixth with a 272.