Siddikur closer to title

Siddikur Rahman took another assured step towards winning his sixth PGTI title after forging a seven-stroke lead in the City Bank American Express Chittagong Open yesterday. The two-time Asian Tour winner struck a masterful five-under-67 – the lowest score for the second consecutive round – at the scenic Bhatiary Golf & Country Club to take his tally to 14-under-202.

Sri Lanka's Anura Rohana (68) occupied second place at seven-under-209 while the Indian trio of Khalin Joshi (69), Sanjeev Kumar (69) and Shamim Khan (69) were in joint third place at six-under-210.

Local favourite Siddikur, leading by six at the halfway stage, began the day with a bogey on the first hole but soon came roaring back with a terrific tee shot on the par-3 second where he landed it within a foot for a tap-in birdie.

The 32-year-old golfer added three more birdies on the front-nine thanks to some exquisite chipping. He chipped-in on the sixth and made up and down from the bunker on the fifth and eighth for his three birdies.

Siddikur went on to make his second birdie chip-in of the day on the 10th before adding three more birdies on the next eight holes at the expense of two bogeys.

"I was really pleased with my ball-striking and chipping today. I've made three chip-in birdies so far this week including two in the third round. I also made some top-class chip-putts today. However, the highlight of my round was the tee shot on the second that stopped just a foot from the pin," Siddikur said at the end of day's play.

"The BGCC course is playing tough due to the windy conditions and I don't feel that I have the advantage of local knowledge here since I'm playing at this magnificent venue after almost 16 years. The aim in the final round will be to play according to the situation by not getting too ahead of myself. I'll follow my usual routine and not think too much about the scores," added the ace Bangladeshi golfer.

Anura Rohana, who was overnight tied second, made an eagle, three birdies and a bogey en route to his second round of 68, to end the day in sole second position at seven-under-209.

Jamal Hossain Mollah was the second Bangladeshi player in the top-10. He was placed tied at 10th at one-over-217 at the end of the penultimate round.