Siddikur wastes excellent start

Bangladesh's premier golfer Siddikur Rahman wasted an excellent start on a rain-affected first round of the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open (BBO) at the Kurmitola Golf Club today.

The two-time Asian Tour winner started with two birdies in the opening two holes on the back nine – the 10th and 11th holes – converting a 20-ft par for the second one. But he failed to keep up the good work, after rain intervened twice, missing par on 16th and 17th holes. Eventually, the 30-year-old golfer finished the first round with a score of one-over (72) to occupy joint 33rd position.

Among the 31 Bangladeshi golfers, Siddikur was second-best placed, along with Sajib Ali and Dil Mohammed, while Dulal Hossain was on one-under. Jamal Hossain Mollah, Nur Jamal, Badal Hossain and Mohammad Sayum were all placed at two-over (73).

The day belonged to Mardan Mamat of Singapore and Casey O' Toole of USA, who took joint lead at five-under (66).

The BBO, the first ever Asian Tour event to be staged in Bangladesh, features 156 golfers from 25 countries including 31 from Bangladesh.