Siddikur in 22nd place

Bangladesh's premier golfer Siddikur Rahman returned to action with a score of three-under-par at the ISPS Handa Global Cup yesterday.

Siddikur was tied for 22nd place along with 13 other golfers.

Siddikur had pulled out of the Queen's Cup in Thailand last week after his recurring back problem reared its ugly head. However, he consulted with doctors on the Asian tour circuit and was looking in fine touch on his return in the Japan Golf Tour event.

He got off to a great start at the scenic Tokinodai Country Club in Ishikawa, carding a birdie on the first hole. However, he was steady yet unimpressive all the way through to the 16th hole, where he got another birdie. On the final hole, Siddikur's day ended as it had began, on a high as he carded a third birdie on the final hole to finish in a respectable position.

Korean Sang-Hyun Park led the table with a score of eight-under-par and is in pole position for the USD 950,000 prize. He carded six birdies, including three on the trot in the 11th, 12th, and 13th before scoring an eagle on the 16th hole.

Meanhwhile, last year's champion Toshinori Muto found himself languishing in the 119th position. He started off brilliantly, carding an eagle on the first hole. However, it all unfolded as he hit six-over-par in the seventh hole, before carding bogeys on the 10th and 12th holes. He finished well, hitting birdies on four of the last six holes and finished on two-over-par.