NEW DELHI: Siddikur scorched the Delhi Golf Club course second day running with a  successive six-under-par 66 on Friday to take the sole lead at the US$1.25 million Hero Indian Open.

The Bangladeshi opened with an eagle and holed a 20-footer birdie putt on the last for a 12-under-par 132 total, two shots ahead of Chapchai Nirat of Thailand, who posted a 68 at the US$1.25 million Asian Tour event. Tilak Malaviya unplugs the champion golfer from Bangladesh who is vying for his maiden Indian Open crown at the Delhi Golf Club.

Early years: I left higher education to pursue a career in golf when i was 15 years-old at Kurmitola Golf Club. Initially, I used to play the game for fun, and started with a make-shift seven iron head stuck onto a piece of metal rod but I got my big break when I won a tournament organized by Kurmitola Golf Club to select the National team and there was no looking back.

Home Golf Course: Kurmitola Golf Club

First coach: Babu Ahmed who played the Indian pro tour.

Current Coach: Shane Gillespie, Head Instructor at PGA Tour Academy, Florida
 
First Golf Set: Was a mixed bag with make-shift clubs. First proper set was Wilson.

First major amateur championship: I represented Bangladesh in the Nomura Cup held in Pakistan in 1999. Shot 8 over

Role Model: Ernie Els  

Highlights as an Amateur: I dominated the amateur circuit, winning regularly in championships held in South Asia. I won the coveted All India Amateur title in 2005 at the Delhi Golf Club, and in doing so I became the first player from my country to win a golf tournament outside Bangladesh. I won five times in Bangladesh including a hat-trick of Bangladesh Amateur title from 2005 – 2007. I also clinched amateur titles – two each in Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan before turning pro in 2007.  

Early success as a Pro:  I had a shaky start to my pro career. My first win - the PGTI Players Championship at Poona in 2008 was special, as I didn’t know what to expect from the Indian Tour. It gave me the confidence to compete with the best and I clinched three more titles - The Haryana Open in Panchkula (2008), Global Green Bangalore Open (2009) and The American Express Bangladesh Open  (2010).

Asian Tour success: 2010 was a breakthrough year in more ways than one. I beat South Africa’s Jbe Kruger in a nerve-racking play-off at the Brunei Open to become the first player from Bangladesh to win on the Asian Tour. It was a memorable victory. I also finished second in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters and posted two other top-10s. The highlight was a tied 11th finish at the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic, Malaysia where I finished a stroke behind my idol Ernie Els. I started 2012 strongly with two second place finishes in the Panasonic Open India and Queen’s Cup in Thailand and then finished third in the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters in Malaysia and Venetian Macau Open.

Delhi Golf Club - Second home: This is one of my favourite golf courses and I enjoy playing on this course even though it is quite challenging.. I've had several top 10 finishes at DGC.  The course is playing fantastic this year and i hope to end the title jinx at DGC this week

Leisure time: I like to go out with friends and watch movies and T20 cricket some times.

Favourites

Actor: Amitabh Bachchan

Actress: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Hindi Movie: Baghban

English Movie: Titanic

Music: Bangla music

Dream Four-ball: Love to play with Ernie Els, Tiger Wood and Rickie Fowler

Strangest Golfing Moment: I shot a 12 on  a par 4 at Royal Colombo Golf Club in 2004

Best shot ever: Shooting my first hole-in-one on the Asian Tour during the opening round of the Brunei Open.  I landed my six iron tee shot just inches from the pin and the ball rolled in the par- three fourth hole at the Empire Hotel and Country Club.

Most memorable moment on a golf course: Winning my maiden Asian tour title in Brunei in 2010.

Favorite holiday destination: Switzerland

Favorite golf courses: Hasley Golf & Country Club, Korea & Delhi Golf Club

Favorite Golf Resort:  Aamby Valley

Toughest Golf Course: Sheshan International Golf Club, Shanghai venue of the WGC - HSBC Champions

By Indian Sports News Network