LIPA CITY, Batangas — Elmer Salvador presented himself a rich gift on Sunday as he celebrated his 40th birthday by capturing the 93rd Philippine Open crown at the Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club here.

Salvador fired a three-under-par 69 in the final round for an impressive 17-under 271 total to finish three shots ahead of RP-based Dutch Guido Van der Valk.

Van der Valk, who started the fourth round tied with Salvador for the lead, tried his best but could only match par to finish at 274.

The win gave Salvador the top purse of P410,000 top purse aside from earning a ticket to the Asian Tour next year under the country exemption rule.

“Sobrang focus lang talaga ako sa bawat butas. Kailangang mag-ingat lang dahil malakas pumalo yung foreigner (Van der Valk),” said Salvador, who had earlier rounds of 63, 66 and 73.

Sharing some of the top honors for the day was Benjie Magada, who acored an ace on the 17th hole en route to a 68 that gave him sixth place.

Asian Tour campaigner Tony Lascuna came in third with a 277 after a 69 while defending champion Angelo Que matched par to claim a share of fourth with Artemio Murakami, who carded a 71, one shot behind Lascuna.

Two-time champion Frankie Miñoza (71) and Michael Bibat shared seventh place at 281 while Danny Zarate (71) finished ninth at 282.

Salvador, an ex-caddie from the Apo Golf, engaged Van der Valk in a shootout in the first 10 holes before going one up on the 11th after the Dutchman missed the green for a bogey.

“Yun siguro ang key sa panalo, yung sa 11th hole. Pagkatapos nun, kinapitan ko na,” said Salvador.

Salvador and Guido bogeyed the 14th hole before the local bet pulled away by three shots with a 10-foot birdie on the 15th and a 16-foot birdie on the the 16th.

The Davaoeño did not look back from there and completed the round and his claim to the throne by matching Van der Valk’s birdie on the last hole.

271 — E. Salvador 63-66-73-69
274 — G. Van der Valk 66-66-70-72
277 — T. Lascuna 67-68-73-69
278 — A. Que 66-71-69-72, A. Murakami 70-67-70-71
280 — B. Magada 68-70-74-68
281 — F. Minoza 73-65-72-71, M. Bibat 68-69-72-72
282 — D. Zarate 75-67-69-71
283 — J. Bayron 72-71-71-69, F. Aunzo 71-68-69-75, R. Sinfuego 68-69-73-73
285 — M. Pucay 72-71-72-70, M. Dumandan 67-75-71-72, R. Gibson 73-69-67-76
286 — J. Estaquio (A) 70-72-72-72
287 — R. Bayron (A) 70-72-71-74
288 — I. Senroku 73-69-73-73, C. Casas 71-71-72-74