Siddikur rebounds but Jazz in charge

Bangladesh's premier golfer Siddikur Rahman bounced back in style with a 66 in the second round of the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open, but Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand surged to a solo lead yesterday.

Having fared poorly in the previous two editions and having made an unflattering start to this year's event, the onus was on Siddikur to deliver. And the two-time Asian Tour winner did so on Thursday to surge to joint fifth position with a five-under-par (66) at the Kurmitola Golf Club. Having traded a single bogey for six birdies yesterday, Siddikur still trails Janewattananond by six shots, but will feel he is in with a realistic shout going into the last two rounds of the 300,000-dollar Asian Tour event.

The 32-year-old golfer was the best-placed among the 10 local golfers to have made the cut alongside 63 foreign golfers.

"I hit the ball good and made a few putts today. My ball striking was a little off yesterday [Wednesday]. I putted really well today and that was the key," Siddikur said after wrapping up his day's work.

Siddikur Rahman enjoyed his excellent round, taking selfies with his wife Samaun Anjum Auroni. PHOTOS: FIROZ AHMED

"This is my best position so far after two rounds in this tournament. I will try to follow what I did today for the next two rounds. No changes and nothing aggressive," Siddikur added.

However, Shakhawat Hossain Sohel, Bangladesh's best performer in the two previous events, rued the many bogeys over two days after narrowly missing out on the cut. The 32-year-old golfer mixed five birdies and an eagle yesterday, but two bogeys and two double bogeys meant that he missed the cut by one stroke.

"It was a very fluctuating day for me," Sohel said. "I did play five birdies and an eagle, but I also hit too many bogeys in this event which cost me dearly. I will not be looking for any excuses, but will try to do well in the following events."

The day, and so far the event, belonged to young Janewattananond from Thailand, who carded a four-under-par (67) for a one-stroke lead over joint overnight leader Shubhankar Sharma of India.

The 21-year-old traded seven birdies against three bogeys to lead on 11-under-par (132).

"It was a mixed round for me but I wasn't thinking much. I walked to the club from my hotel for about 20 minutes in the cold this morning and I forgot my jacket. I didn't have much time to warm up and prepare. It was a bit of a rush but I still managed to par the first couple of holes so I am happy with that," said Janewattananond.

Sharma, also chasing a maiden win, took pride in his commendable round despite falling out of the lead.

"The round wasn't as smooth as it was yesterday but it was still good. I hit the ball decent and I managed to hang in there. My target was to shoot -10 for the first two rounds and I managed to do it. I am looking forward to the next two rounds," said the 20-year-old Indian.