Go unleashes birdie-eagle finish, ties for Asian Tour lead; Ramos misses ADT crown

Lloyd Go

Pilipinas Golf

MANILA, Philippines — Lloyd Go produced the kind of explosive finishing kick that wins big-time championships, uncorking a birdie-eagle barrage over the final two holes to seize a share of the lead after three rounds of the Taifong Open in Taiwan on Saturday.

Go thus put himself on the doorstep of another potential Filipino triumph on the Asian Tour.

His electrifying windup rescued what had briefly threatened to unravel after back-to-back bogeys on Nos. 15 and 16, as the Filipino shotmaker responded with grit and composure to salvage a second straight 67 and tie South Africa’s Ian Snyman, who shot a 69, at 12-under 204 heading into the final round at Taifong Golf Club.

The comeback was as dramatic as it was timely. After starting the day five shots off the lead, Go immediately signaled his intent by birdying three of the first six holes. He recovered from a bogey on the seventh with birdies on Nos. 8 and 12 to move firmly into contention before another wobble at the closing stretch appeared to derail his charge.

Instead, the Philippine Golf Tour standout delivered the round’s biggest statement. He birdied the par-5 17th, then capped his round with a stunning eagle on the closing hole, holing out in spectacular fashion to vault back into a share of the lead and ignite hopes of a breakthrough victory for Philippine golf on the Asian Tour.

Snyman holed out with three pars for a three-under card and settled into the co-lead, while American Chase Koepka stormed into the championship group with a sizzling 66 for a 205 total, setting up a compelling three-man showdown in the final round of the $500,000 championship.

Carl Corpus also stayed in the mix despite a 71, finishing the day tied for 16th at 210, while Justin Quiban struggled with a 75 and slipped to joint 66th at 217.

In Malaysia, Sean Ramos narrowly missed out on a breakthrough victory on the Asian Development Tour, bowing to Pukhraj Singh Gill in a dramatic three-man playoff that also featured Thanawin Lee at the ADT Players Championship on Saturday.

Ramos displayed poise and resilience in a pressure-filled final round at the Palm Course of Saujana Golf and Country Club, birdying two of his last six holes to card a 71 and force a playoff at 275 total alongside Gill and Lee. Gill, who had led since the opening round, stumbled with a 72, while Lee charged back into contention with a brilliant 68.

Despite the setback, Ramos proved he can compete with some of the region’s top players. Gill regained his composure in sudden death and sealed the title with a birdie on the second playoff hole, as Ramos and Lee settled for pars.

Although denied a maiden ADT crown, Ramos’ runner-up finish marked another strong showing for the former PGT leg winner, who steadily worked his way into contention with rounds of 68, 69 and 67 before his closing 71. The performance is expected to further boost his confidence and sharpen his form as he heads to the next PGT leg at Caliraya Springs Golf Club next week.

Ramos earned $10,175 (approximately P615,000) for his joint runner-up finish.