Siddikur starts well

Ace Bangladesh golfer Siddikur Rahman got off to an impressive start in the Macao Open when he finished the opening round with two-under par 69 at the Macau Golf and Country Club yesterday.

Siddikur hit four birdies against two bogeys in the US$1.1 million Asian Tour tournament to stay in the top sixteen on a day when England's Ian Poulter marked his return from a four-month injury layoff with a stylish seven-under-par 64 to share the first round lead with Spaniard Carlos Pigem.

The former Ryder Cup star birdied all the par five holes and did not drop a single shot while Pigem, who broke through for his first win in Asia in July, matched Poulter later in the day, thanks to an outstanding outward 28 which included five birdies and one eagle.

Thailand's Chapchai Nirat led the chasing pack, with two closing birdies giving him a 65 to trail by one while India's Anirban Lahiri, champion here in 2014, shot a bogey-free 66 to share fourth place with Australia's Marcus Fraser, who made two eagles after suffering an injury scare at the start of his round.