Manila, Philippines, 15-05-2014
Siddikur in joint lead after round one of ICTSI Philippine Open
Chowrasia in tied 10th
PGTI member Md Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh fired his best score at the challenging Wack Wack Golf and Country Club to share the opening round lead with Chan Kim of USA on six-under-par 66 at the ICTSI Philippine Open on Thursday.
Siddikur, the first Bangladeshi to play and win on the Asian Tour, birdied the last hole from five feet to cap his best effort on the Wack Wack course where his previous low round was a 71 at the 2011 Philippine Open.
Filipino Rolando Marabe was in tied third along with Thailand’s Chawalit Plaphol at three-under-69.
Siddikur was delighted to rediscover his deft putting touch as he negotiated the tricky Wack Wack greens in 26 putts.
“I was confident that my putting touch will come back. In golf sometimes you enjoy a good run of form and sometimes you don’t. I sank about 80% of my putts which reflected in my score,” said the 29-year-old.
“This is not an easy course. It is a tight and narrow course with small greens. Every shot counts here. I was not disappointed with my form before today because my stats were still good except putting,” added Siddikur, a two-time Asian Tour winner.
SSP Chowrasia fired a one-under-71 to be the highest placed Indian in tied 10th. PGTI member Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka also occupied tied 10th place.
Among the other Indians in the field, Manav Jaini was tied 29th with a score of one-over-73 while current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Anirban Lahiri was in tied 56th along with Angad Cheema, Sujjan Singh and Abhijit Singh Chadha at three-over-75.
Lahiri struggled to get his round going on Thursday. He was three-over after 12 holes but bounced back with back-to-back birdies on four and five before stumbling to a double bogey on the eighth hole after hitting his tee shot over the green.
“It was a frustrating round. I don’t think I played horribly. I just made some poor decisions and struggled on the greens. I don’t think I’m out of the tournament yet. It is a tough course and if you can play consistently then you can get decent scores. I honestly don’t think I’m out of the tournament,” said Lahiri, a five-time Asian Tour winner.
The talented Indian, currently ranked 64th on the Official World Golf Ranking, will need a victory this week to give himself a chance to break into the top-60 in the world by May 26th to qualify for the U.S. Open in June.
Himmat Rai’s 77 placed him tied 98th while Abhinav Lohan was a further shot back in tied 120th place.
Amardip Sinh Malik shot a 79 to be in joint 130th place and Digvijay Singh carded an 80 to be tied 137th.
About Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI):
The Professional Golf Tour of India serves as the official governing and sanctioning body for men's professional golf in India and is a recognized member of the 'International Golf Federation' and the 'International Federation of PGA Tours'. PGTI also enjoys a strategic alliance with the DP World Tour (European Tour). PGTI events offer 'Official World Golf Ranking' (OWGR) points. Global logistics leader DP World is the Title Partner and Official Umbrella Partner of the PGTI. The PGTI is led by its President, Padma Bhushan Shri. Kapil Dev, an iconic sporting legend who continues to inspire athletes and audiences nationwide.
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