Celebrated Bangladeshi golfer Siddikur Rahman made the expected start in his favorite Hero Indian Open Golf to share the top slot with four other players after the first round matches at the Delhi Golf Club on Thursday.
Siddikur, the Asian Tour winners of 2010 Brunei Open and 2013 Hero Indian Open, scored a six-under-par 65 to share the first place after the day’s first round with six birdies, according to Asian Tour.
He tied alongside SSP Chawrasia of India, Richard T. Lee of Canada, Chapchai Nirat of Thailand, the world 72-hole scoring record holder, and Joakim Lagergren of Sweden at the US$1.5 million event, sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.
Siddikur relied on his sharp-shooting game at the narrow Delhi course where he has enjoyed great results in the past which include winning the 2013 Hero Indian Open and finishing second twice. The Hero Indian Open was not staged last year.
“I played really good golf and made some long putts. My hitting was perfect so that was good. I always look forward to returning to the Delhi Golf Club. This is my favourite course,” said Siddikur, a Team Asia member who secured a dramatic 10-10 tie against Team Europe in the inaugural EurAsia Cup last year.
“This is a tight and narrow golf course. I’m a very accurate player so I really like playing on this type of layout. You always see me in good position when I play here,” said the 30-year-old.
Siddikur, a two-time Asian Tour winner, returned to his best form on his favourite hunting ground in New Delhi after missing the cut in his last two appearances.
Siddikur enjoyed his biggest career victory when he won the 2013 Hero Indian Open at his favourite golf course, the Delhi Golf Club, and notched seven other top-10s.
He was also the first Bangladeshi to represent his country at the ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf in Australia and earned his place to represent Team Asia at the inaugural EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM when he finished in fourth place on the Order of Merit, the third time in four seasons that he has finished top-10 on the rankings.
Siddikur wrote a slice of history in 2010 when he became the first player from Bangladesh to win on the Asian Tour — the Brunei Open — beating Jbe Kruger of South Africa in a play-off.
He secured two runner-ups and one third place result early in 2014 before injuring his back in the middle of the year when he was hospitalized for 15 days.
