Jakarta: Philippines’ Jay Bayron staged a remarkable final round comeback to win the inaugural Bii Maybank ADT Challenge ahead of Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung on Saturday.

Closing with a flawless five-under-par 67, Bayron’s winning total of 12-under-par 204 after three rounds was enough to seal a win in the US$50,000 Asian Development Tour (ADT) event as overnight leader Fung one stroke adrift in second on the back of a ruing a calamitous back-nine finish.

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 Golf Club.

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.

“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.

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

The tournament marked Maybank first foray on the Asian Development Tour and comes on the back of their long-term involvement with the Malaysian Open, which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

Leading third round scores
204 – Jay Bayron (Philippines) 69-68-67
205 – Nicholas Fung (Malaysia) 66-68-71
206 – Jhonnel Ababa (Philippines) 71-71-64
207 – Danny Chia (Malaysia) 72-69-66, Unho Park (Australia) 69-71-67
208 – Michael Bibat (Philippines) 73-70-65
209 – Tim Stewart (Australia) 70-70-69