Siddkur feeds on memories of DGC to take midway lead

New Delhi: In the three years since he last won for his only Asian Tour title, Siddikur has matured into a fine golfer, who can hold his own against the best. But he is still searching for his second win on the Tour. On Friday, the 28-year-old took a decisive step in the direction of making a bold bid for the 50th Hero Indian Open as shot yet another round of 66 to get to 12-under par on a weather-interrupted day at the Delhi Golf Club.
India’s best in the clubhouse was SSP Chowrasia, a two-time Asian Tour winner, who traded five birdies against one bogey to put himself in prime position to win the prestigious Hero Indian Open title after having finishing second in 1999 and 2006. Chowrasia is now sevem-under 137 after rounds of 69 and 68. He may well have been better but for the bogey on the 18th.

“I’ve played well at Delhi Golf Club and I have very good memories here. I will keep that in mind when I’m playing in the last two days,” said Chowrasia, who also won the Emaar Masters, which was co-sanctioned by Asian and European Tours.
Added Chowrasia, “I really had only two bad shots on the sixth and then second shot on 18th, and I paid for it, but I am feeling good right now.”

Amongst other Indians, Rahil Gangjee was two under through 16 and is now eight-under, while , while SSP Chowrasia is going great with 69-68 at seven-under and Shankar Das is with him with five more holes to play in second round. They will all come tomorrow at 7 am and the draw for third round will take place after that.

Anirban Lahiri added a fine 67 to his 71 on first day and Shiv Kapur made big amends for his first round 75 with a flawless 66 and that brought him back in the frame.
Siddikur, who won the 2004 All India Amateur at this course, wants to add a pro title to that after finishing in top-10 and top-5 on numerous occasions.

The halfway stage of the Hero Indian Open was suspended due to darkness as thick fog delayed the start of round two for over an hour in the morning. A total of 26 players will return at 7.15am Saturday to complete the round.
Siddikur made his intentions clear as he 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.

Multiple Asian Tour winners Angelo Que (68) of the Philippines and S.S.P. Chowrasia (68) of India were a further five shots back from Siddikur at the venerable Delhi Golf Club.
Siddikur, the first Bangladeshi to play and win on the Asian Tour in 2010, took advantage of his straight hitting game and a hot putter, making 27 putts at the venerable Delhi Golf Club.

“I played aggressively again and I’m really enjoying this new style of play. I didn’t do anything exceptional in my game but I’m just enjoying the way I’m playing now. My game was excellent thanks largely to my short game,” smiled Siddikur.
Siddikur’s near misses at DGC include second at the 2011 SAIL Open and 2012 Panasonic Open India.

“This course is like my home course! I have good memories here. With the way I’m playing, I think it is time to win. I won’t do anything special but I will continue to play aggressively,” Siddikur added.

Chapchai endured a lean spell since setting a 72-hole world scoring record with a 32-under-par 256 in India in 2009 en route to winning his third Asian Tour title. The big-hitting Thai has been struggling on the greens but turned the corner after reverting to a belly putter in September.
“When I was using my old putter, I tend to open or close the putter face when I putt. That never happens with the belly putter. My scores have certainly improved since I changed putter,” said the 30-year-old Chapchai.