Siddikur Rahman, the first ever professional golfer of Bangladesh, enjoyed a mixed day playing in the PGA sanctioned CIMB-Asia Pacific Classic Tour in Malaysia and making his mark among the best of the bests.
Siddik finished the day with 68 strokes (-3), one stroke better than his 1st round game and stands at 21st position with 137 strokes (-5 under par).
‘This is a huge experience for me to learn from the PGA Tour players and I learned a lot from them,’ said a humble Siddikur Rahman after Friday’s second round play.
Renowned Australian golfer Adam Scott, ranked 40th in the world, was Siddik’s second round partner. However, Adam’s name or fame did not affect Siddiks’ game as both of them started the second round with the same score of (-2) from the previous day.
‘I was so happy when I saw my pairing with Adam because he is one of the most famous players of the world. I enjoyed playing with him a lot. I usually don’t talk when I’m playing but I was very chatty with Adam,’ Siddik told reporters.
As the day progressed Siddik’s game was getting better and at the 10th hole he was leading with (-4) whereas Adam was still at (-2). It seemed he would finish the day in top 10, but luck betrayed him on quite a few occasions in the following holes dropping him to 21 at the end.
‘Every time they get in trouble, they manage to get up, which I normally can’t do. They always get out of trouble and that is something I need to learn,’ pro-golfer Siddik said.
Adam, who ended the day in eighth place, was full of praise for Siddik.
‘It was a fun to watch him play, obviously the first Bangladeshi to play on Tour, anywhere I think,’ said the Australian golfer.
‘He’s been really successful this year and it’s great to see. He’s got a really solid game. He’s not tall but he hits it very straight and that’s something I’m very jealous of. He looks like he’s got a good attitude. I’m sure he’s got a bright future if he keeps his confidence up,’ said Scott.
Throughout the day Siddik received enormous support from the locals and the Bangladeshis working in the golf course and it must have boosted his confidence. His dramatic rise to the elite circle of golf in Asia was well covered by the Malaysian and the international media.
‘I’m looking forward to
the next two days and hope to do better. I know the course better now and I should play well at the weekend,’ Siddik confidently said.
American Ben Crane and Thailand’s Pariya Junhasavasdikul share the spot at the top of the leader board after the second round play while Siddik’s idol and world number 11 Ernie Els is languishing at ninth place.
