Strong start for Siddikur

Siddikur Rahman marked his return to his favourite Delhi track with a four-under-par 68 on the opening day of the US 400,000 dollars Panasonic Open India yesterday.

The premier Bangladesh golfer, who won his second Asian Tour title at the Delhi Golf Club course two years ago in a nail-biting Hero Indian Open finale, started the day unimpressively. He hit a bogey in the third hole but grew in confidence as the day progressed, hitting five birdies including in the last two holes.    

Siddikur finished the day two shots behind Mithun Perera, who hit seven birdies against a bogey for a six-under 66.

The bubbly Sri Lankan, who is searching for a first Asian Tour title, holds a one-shot advantage over an in-form Chiragh Kumar of India and Sattaya Supupramai of Thailand, who missed a five-foot birdie on the last hole.

However, Siddikur was even par at the turn but four birdies on his homeward nine including a curling birdie on 18 kept him within striking distance of his close friend Perera.

"It wasn't a bad start! I enjoyed my day. The fairways are soft so it is playing slightly longer but I made some good putts and that helped. It is nice to see Mithun leading. I think all the accurate players will do well here," said Siddikur, who is desperately looking to end an otherwise forgettable year on a high.

The 30-year-old golfer has won once at the venerable Delhi course and finished runner-up on three occasions in the last five years.

Meanwhile, another Bangladeshi Zamal Mollah, competing in the meet, finished the day on one-under 71.