News and Media

 

Elmer Salvador Bags A Bettinardi For Best Ever Asian Tour Finish

 

Elmer Salvador Bags A Bettinardi For Best Ever Asian Tour Finish

September 12, 2011

Elmer Salvador clinched his best-ever finish in the Asian Tour with a second place in the ISPS Handa Singapore Classic in a close sudden-death loss to Indian Himmat Rai. Salvador is playing his first full season on this tour.

Much of his tournament success can be attributed to switching to the Bettinardi Golf Signature Model Two putter that he personally selected because of its wider body and longer sightline. During the memorable 6-hole sudden death, Salvador sank an incredible 50-footer on the 2nd playoff hole to extend the match. He one-putted 4 of his 6 sudden death holes including the last two.

His putting performance was in start contrast to his form prior to the tournament. He had been struggling, averaging 32.5 putts per round in 4 previous starts switching back and forth between other non-Bettinardi putter brands.

During this tournament, his improvement may have seemed modest at 32.0 putts which is just half a stroke per round better than his tour average - but it is actually much bigger beneath the surface. Salvador average 3.25 more greens hit on this tournament than his previous start, and this golf course was a par 70 with only two par 5's meaning his birdie chances were not as close.

Before switching, Salvador averaged 130 putts over 50 greens hit per tournament. In Singapore, he hit 63 greens and had 128 putts which was a marked improvement in proficiency. Salvador is one of the top professionals in the Philippines, having won the 2009 Philippine Open, and multiple times in the local tour including one money title.

Salvador also wore a Bettinardi Buckle milled with the logo of REDGOLF, the Philippine distributor of Bettinardi putters.