Italy’s Michele Ortolani stamped his mark on the ADT Players Championship presented by The R&A in the Philippines today, posting seven birdies in his first nine holes to claim the first round lead at seven under par.

His heroics were later matched by Thailand’s Waris Manthorn who also posted a 65 at the Luisita Golf and Country Club to share the lead after the first day of the US$120,000 Asian Development Tour event.

“Today has obviously been an unforgettable start,” said Ortolani after his round. “I think it has been one of the hottest starts I have ever had in my entire career. I think the key was I was extremely confident that i could accept everything that the course was presenting me and I think I handled it very well,” he added.

“As soon as I got on a nice stretch i just kept going, I didnt ask myself any questions which happened a little bit more on the back nine,” he said. “In fact the front nine was extremely red, the back nine was extremely white,” he laughed. “I mean it’s part of the game, it’s hard to expect to be through 18 holes on a birdie train.

“It’s been a nice start and I’m really happy. The difference between the front nine and the back nine hasn’t been that I have played much worse, it’s just I had a little less proximity and obviously on these greens having good proximity is important to make birdies.

“I made a really good birdie on number five, and then on eight it was a bit sad because I was putting from about 20 feet for birdie and I lipped out, then I missed the comeback so it was a little bit of a disappointment with a three putt there, but at the same time I’m really happy,” he said.

With both leaders dropping shots despite their impressive run, in third place the Thai duo of Nirun Sae-ueng and Chonjarem Baramithanaseth posted a score of 66 with clean, six-birdie cards.

They were joined in a share of third by Spain’s Pep Angles and Niklas Regner of Austria, who like all the other competitors will have their eye on next week’s International Series Philippines, with the winner of this event guaranteed a start.

In seventh place, Thailand’s Tawit Polthai finished on five under par, a double bogey on the par four fourth hole setting him back despite an otherwise impressive round. The winner of the ADT’s opening event in Malaysia shares the spot with England’s Sam Broadhurst.

One shot further back, on four under par and in ninth place, were Malaysia’s Marcus Lim, Ciputra Golfpreneur winner Matt Killen of England, and Indonesia’s Kevin Akbar with a bogey-free 68.

In 12th place on three under par, rounding out the top 15 on the day, were Grant Godfrey of the USA, Thailand’s Tunyapat Sukkoed, Ayoung Lguirati of Morocco and Singapore’s James Leow.

With all players finished for Round One, the four-day tournament will continue as scheduled tomorrow, with play starting at 6.10am from two tees.

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