Ace Bangladesh golfer Siddikur Rahman’s quest for his second Asian Tour started in a modest manner when he was in joint 16th position at the end of the first round of
the $7,50,000 inaugural Chiangmai Golf Classic in Bangkok on Thursday.
Siddik finished the day with three-under-par 69 with six birdies and three bogeys. He started the day with a fine birdie in opening hole.
Thai veteran star Prayad Marksaeng struck a seven-under-par 65 crediting his form to a change in his putting grip midway through his round.
The 47-year-old local hope, chasing his sixth Asian Tour victory, left four-time major winner Ernie Els in the shade as the South African battled to a 69 with a short
putter in his bag for the first time since the end of 2011.
China’s Hu Mu put in a solid 66 to tie for second place with Thai Prom Meesawat and American Jonathan Moore.
Prayad switched to the cross-handed putting grip after shooting pars over four holes and then went on to make five straight birdies to turn in 31. He carded three more
birdies against a lone bogey to top the leaderboard.
British Open champion Els, meanwhile, shot a bogey-free three-under-par 69 to sit four off the lead.
-With New Age input
