Siddikur surges but Jazz forges big lead

Siddikur Rahman continued his upward surge in the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open, but it is the young Thai golfer Jazz Janewattananond who took another assured step towards his maiden Asian Tour title at the end of the third round yesterday.

Siddikur, the two-time Asian Tour winner, carded a three-under-par (68) at the Kurmitola Golf Club on Sunday to move up to joint third position at eight-under-par (205). His effort, however, meant he was still five shots off the pace, thanks to the consistent form of Jazz, who carded a two-under-par to take his overall tally to 13-under-par (200). India's Shubhankar Sharma, who had a mixed bag yesterday, was in second position at nine-under-par (204).

After having finished 38th and 35th respectively in the first two editions of the 300,000-dollar Asian Tour event, Bangladesh's premier golfer Siddikur Rahman looks like he is determined to make amends this time. With an even-par first round and a 66 in the second, Siddikur did not buckle under home pressure as he exchanged six birdies for three bogies at his favourite golf course yesterday. The 32-year-old golfer admitted he is mentally stronger now than before.

"I think my mental game was not as strong in the last two years. I practised a lot and I prepared myself well before coming home for this tournament. The game is better and more matured as well. I think that's the difference for me compared to the last two years," Siddikur said at the end of the day.

The man from Madaripur, whom some love to call the Tiger Woods of Bangladesh, feels he is still in with a shout of breaking his long draught on Asia's premier golf tour.

"I am happy to stay in contention after three rounds in this tournament. It is the first time I am contending in this tournament. I just want to keep doing what I have been doing for the last three rounds tomorrow. If I can do that, I should be able to score again tomorrow," Siddikur said.

The ace golfer will however have to contend with the pressure of playing in the leading flight -- alongside Jazz and Sharma -- in the fourth and final round today. The Thai youngster was not at his best, yet managed to pull away from the rest of the field, mixing four birdies with two bogeys. He was nonetheless happy with the lead he has forged.

"I just tried to do my best out there. Sharma got off to a good start but I managed to hang in there. Playing in the last group in the final round tomorrow, my mindset is definitely going to be different. I will go out there and do my best to secure my first Asian Tour win," Janewattananond said.

Meanwhile, Dulal Hossain of Bangladesh was eyeing a top-10 finish after carding a three-under-par (68) which helped him finish the day in joint 12th position.