Italy’s Michele Ortolani continued his determined assault on the ADT Players Championship presented by the R&A in the Philippines today, but it was Singapore’s James Leow who made the big move, shooting an eight under par 64 to claim a share of the lead after the second round.

Leow, who won the individual gold at the SEA Games in 2019 on this same course, showed he had the measure of the Luisita Golf & Country Club, firing nine birdies to join Ortolani on 11 under par going into the weekend.

“I played here back in 2019 for the SEA Games and really liked the layout,” said Leow after the second round of the US$120,000 Asian Development Tour event.

“I think it suits my game a lot. It’s more of an older, really mature course, a classic Southeast Asia course with cow grass and it’s all about just keeping it in play.

“You don’t go too crazy, you don’t need to try too much out here,” he said. “The holes aren’t that long, you can take every advantage with the length of modern day golf and give yourself good looks,” he added.

“It was a good day today, helped by some good bounces as well. I constantly gave myself good tee shots into the fairway and then good looks on the green, inside 15-17 feet, sometimes even closer,

“I’ve been rolling the putts well in these two rounds, some of them fell and some didn’t but definitely more fell today,” he said. “It was a good day overall, with good vibes and just taking it easy and enjoying the day.

“I changed some clubs off the tee (from Round One) and just kept it more in play in the fairway. Playing this course you have to be in the fairway. If you are in the trees, you might get blocked and with how the grass is you might get trapped so even if you hit a good shot it doesn’t run up to the green.

“I’ve had a lot of good past success here to base off for the week so I am just taking it easy,” he said. “I know the layout and what I need to do,” he added

Italy’s Michele Ortolani pictured in action during the second round of the ADT Players Championship presented by The R&A on October 16, 2025.

Ortolani shot six birdies after his magical 65 yesterday, but two bogeys ensured that Leow was able to catch up.

The pair sit two shots clear of Thailand’s Niron Sae-ueng (69) in solo third on nine under par, followed by Austria’s Niklas Regner (70), England’s Sam Broadhurst (69) and fellow Thai Waris Manthorn (71) in fourth spot a shot further back.

In seventh place, on seven under par, lie Ben Jones (65) of England, Morocco’s Ayoub Lguirati (68) and Pattaraphol Khanthacha (66) of Thailand.

Robert Garcia (68) of the USA leads the group in 10th place, alongside Indonesia’s Kevin Akbar (70), Marcus Lim (70) of Malaysia, Spain’s pep Angleds (72) and the Thai duo of Sangchai Kaewcharoen (68) and Chonjaren Baramithanaseth (72).

With the cut set at two over par after two rounds, 54 players will head into the weekend, with the prize of a spot in next week’s International Series Philippines available for the winner. Play resumes at 6.05am off two tees, with the leading group heading out at 7.28 am.

Main picture: Singapore’s James Leow pictured in action in the second round of the ADT Players Championship presented by The R&A on October 16, 2025.