Bayron Grabs Win At BII Maybank ADT Challenge At Imperial Klub Golf

Jakarta, July 14 - Philippines' Jay Bayron staged a remarkable comeback by closing with a flawless five-under-par 67 to win the inaugural BII Maybank ADT Challenge on Saturday.

Bayron's winning total of 12-under-par 204 after three rounds was enough to seal his victory while Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung, who held the lead for two rounds, was left to rue a calamitous back-nine that was marred by three costly bogeys and had to settle for second place at the US$50,000 Asian Development Tour (ADT) event.

Philippines’ Jhonnel Ababa posted the day’s lowest score of 64 to take third place with a 206 total while Malaysia’s Danny Chia and Unho Park of Australia shared fourth place on matching 207 at the Imperial Klub Golf.

Starting the day three shots behind Fung, Bayron rallied back by firing five birdies on holes nine, 11, 13, 17 and 18 to win his second ADT title after Fung could not hold on to his overnight lead.

The Malaysian seemed to be cruising towards a wire-to-wire victory after holding a five-shot lead with six holes to play.

However, a bogey on the 13th hole, followed by another two on the 16th and 18th left Fung to ponder on what could have been a memorable week for him.

“I didn’t feel that much pressure as I was starting the day behind Fung. I just told myself that I have got to play catch-up and focus on doing well. My heart goes out to Nicholas as it could have been his week. But that’s golf,” said Bayron.

“I had a very solid run in my back-nine and I was growing in confident then. I’m happy that I’ve won,” added Bayron.

Best Indonesian was Benny Kasiadi who finished tied 12th after a final round 73, 3 shots ahead of Jordan Irawan, the only amateur in the field, who shot a 68 on the final day to finish on a tied 18th place.

Maybank, Malaysia’s regional financial leader, also title sponsors the Maybank Malaysian Open which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

Launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia, the ADT has gained support from Corporate Asia, growing its schedule from five tournaments in the first season to eight tournaments in the 2011 season.

A record total of 12 events will be played this season with the top three finishers on the Order of Merit earning Asian Tour cards for 2013, ensuring aspiring professionals a proper career pathway.

Leading final scores

204 - Jay BAYRON (PHI) 69-68-67

205 - Nicholas FUNG (MAL) 66-68-71

206 - Jhonnel ABABA (PHI) 71-71-64

207 - Danny CHIA (MAL) 72-69-66, Unho PARK (AUS) 69-71-67

208 - Michael BIBAT (PHI) 73-70-65

209 - Tim STEWART (AUS) 70-70-69

Selected scores

211 - Benny KASIADI (INA) 69-69-73

214 - Jordan Irawan (A) (INA) 71-75-68

216 - Maan NASIM (INA) 68-76-72

217 - Rory Hie (INA) 76-70-71

218 - Ramadhan ALWIE (INA) 72-71-75

219 - I Nengah DHARMA (INA) 73-68-78, I Ketut SUGIARTA (INA) 72-74-73

220 - Johannes DERMAWAN (INA) 74-73-73

221 - Kevin ROESLI (INA) 74-72-75

222 - ILYASYAK (INA) 75-71-76

223 - IRMANSYAH (INA) 74-73-76