By Edwin Rollon
TARLAC CITY – Malaysia's Galven Green unleashed a spectacular course-record eight-under-par 64 to seize the solo lead and set up a dramatic final-round showdown in the 2026 BingoPlus Philippines Asian Development Tour (ADT) Open at the prestigious Luisita Golf and Country Club on Friday.
Green, a former Malaysian national team standout, caught fire from the opening holes and delivered the round of the tournament, highlighted by a stunning eagle on the par-5 ninth that completed his charge from three shots behind overnight leader Franco Scorzato of Argentina to the top of the leaderboard.
After opening with back-to-back 69s, Green's brilliant 64 gave him a 54-hole total of 14-under-par 202, putting him one shot clear of Italian Michele Ortolani, who also mounted a fierce challenge with a seven-under 65 for a 203 aggregate in the event sponsored by Bingo Plus and Digital Plus.
Briton Thomas Plum remained firmly in the title hunt after bouncing back from a disappointing second-round 74. The Englishman rediscovered his form with a sparkling six-under 66 to move to 12-under 204, just two shots off the lead entering the final day.
"I didn't do anything special. I just really went out there and played golf," said Green after his record-breaking round.
While Green grabbed the spotlight, Filipino contender Sean Ramos kept local hopes alive with a superb five-under 67 to stay within striking distance of the leaders.
Ramos birdied six holes against a lone bogey on the par-4 11th, climbing into a share of sixth place at 10-under 206 alongside Malaysia's Marcus Lim and Australia's Darcy Brereton, who carded rounds of 68 and 69, respectively.
The Filipino standout opened with a 68 before slipping to a 71 in the second round but regained momentum at the perfect time as he heads into Saturday's finale just four strokes behind Green.
"Today was a good start," Ramos said.
"I've been struggling to read the greens a little bit, but more than anything, I'm just trying to hit my putts as solid as I can. If you hit it a little off-center, that's where it kind of snaps right away."
Taiwan's Su Ching-Hung and Scorzato remained in the thick of the battle at 11-under 205 after rounds of 70 and 71, respectively, while three-time Asian Tour champion Angelo Que quietly positioned himself for a late charge with a three-under 69 for a 209 total.
With multiple players separated by only a handful of shots and the championship still up for grabs, the stage is set for a thrilling final-round shootout at Luisita as Green tries to fend off a relentless pack of challengers led by Ramos and fellow title contenders from across the region.
